Global Migration: Resilient Cities at the Forefront

Mass migration has grown into one of the major urban challenges of the 21st century. As cities contend with the effects of climate change and aging infrastructure, they must also learn to adapt to waves of newcomers. Today, more than 60 million people have had to leave their homes because of conflict, in the largest wave of human displacement since World War II. Yet even this number is dwarfed by the world’s total population of international migrants, which peaked at 244 million in 2015. Regardless of their reasons for arrival, the overwhelming majority of migrants now remain in cities, and are helping shape their future. Global Migration: Resilient Cities at the Forefront reflects the [Athens Network] Exchange’s clear-eyed appraisal of the urban challenges of migration and the participants’ collective work to address and find opportunity in them. Organized into four visions, this document highlights best practices and pressing challenges, and concludes by emphasizing the need for cities to develop better local, national, and international partnerships to successfully integrate newcomers and build resilience that makes cities better for all residents.