Two major international events underscore how closely interrelated urban development is with the environment. World Environment Day on June 5 brings to the forefront urban challenges with air pollution, lack of clean water, and energy shortages. The World Urban Forum3 (WUF3), an international meeting held biannually by UN Habitat, brings together urban experts to discuss critical issues for urban sustainability, such as municipal financing and effective civic engagement. This online report, provided by the Development Gateway, assembles the Gateway’s own experts to discuss these issues.

The Development Gateway puts the Internet to work for developing countries. It provides Internet solutions for effective aid and e-government – increasing access to critical information, building local capacity and bringing partners together for positive change. The Development Gateway was initiated by the World Bank and became an independent foundation in 2001. The Gateway’s donors and sponsors include governments, international institutions and private entities.