Afghan cities are growing at a rapid pace, estimated to be around 4% per year4
.
This high growth rate is partially due to a high influx of returnees from Pakistan and
Iran who prefer to settle in urban rather than rural areas in search for better living
conditions, including public services, employment opportunities and security. In addition,
insecurity in rural areas has expedited the normal trend of urbanization, so that
people move in even larger numbers to urban centres in major cities than would be
expected under less volatile circumstances5
. As a result of this unprecedented growth,
cities, and their mayors, are under tremendous pressure to provide basic services to
their citizens. Without strong municipal administrations which can deliver efficient urban
services, ensure municipal governance and urban management, cities will not be able
to rise to the challenge.