Ending the AIDS Epidemic: The Advantage of Cities

Urbanization is changing the way we live and work and how we approach problems and think about the future. Already the majority of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and by 2050 it is projected that seven in 10 people will live in cities and municipalities.

There are important reasons why people are choosing to live in urban areas. Cities are sources of economic growth and prosperity, serve as centres of innovation and offer extraordinary educational, cultural and recreational opportunities. Urban areas often have greater success in tackling difficult challenges, due to cities’ comparatively greater concentration of services, creativity and productive capacity.

This report includes examples of cities in every region that are displaying courageous, innovative, transformative leadership on AIDS. As of August 2015, more than 100 cities have formally joined as partners in the Fast-Track Cities Initiative, pledging to take focused action to speed the day when the epidemic is no longer a public health threat.