Focus on people first—and cities will thrive  10 July 2013 |
Orlando Ayala, Chairman, Emerging Markets  Innovation,
advancement, connectivity—we often see these words applied to
technology. When cities start applying those words to people,
that’s when dramatic change begins to happen. It’s when cities
begin the transformation to thriving, sustainable cities of the
future.  It starts by focusing on people first. That’s how
cities unlock vast human potential, enable innovation, and lay
the foundation for a connected future—one that builds on shared
knowledge, creates opportunities, and gives citizens a chance to
not only dream big but do big.    Change is happening now.
Between 1990 and 2010, the world lifted 1 billion people out of
extreme poverty—a 50% reduction. Amazing progress, but more must
be done over the next 20 years to lift up the remaining 1
billion, many of whom subsist on less than $1.25 per day. Cities
must play a lead role in this effort.    • It’s a great
opportunity for cities—and a fascinatin