This report sheds light on the urban divisions and development challenges faced by the countries of the ESCWA region. Specifically, it addresses the spatial dimension of the urban development vis-à-vis strategies aimed at inclusive urbanization, social equity and economic balance. With reference to selected case studies and examples, it presents an array of spatial development interventions taking place in the region; and highlights the ways they respond to urban fragmentation and inequalities, and their limitations.

In many countries worldwide, the economy is experiencing rapid developments in a shift from production-based economy to information and knowledge based economy. In the Arab region, the ICT sector has grown rapidly over the past few years. e-services improved, and the use of this technology increased in economic and social sectors. The remarkable prosperity of the sector was accompanied by an overall economic growth in Arab countries at a better pace than previous years.