The management of growing cities is not a simple task, and cities vary widely
in how well they are able to handle the changing demands on them—one
reason that the fortunes of individual cities diverge. To deliver the benefits of
economies of scale while minimizing the hazards of rapid growth, cities need
professional planning and coordination, capable and accountable governance,
and sustainable and responsible fiscal management. We now describe some of
the lessons we have learned from our in-depth research on cities in China, India,
and Latin America.