Cities are engines of economic growth and job creation, and their future pathways will shape global development outcomes for decades to come. 

But the success of this transformation depends on making the right investments now—investments that strengthen essential infrastructure, unlock new jobs, and build cities that are more sustainable and resilient. 

The charts below visualize the key findings from the World Bank’s Banking on Cities report, which estimates the annual investment needed through 2050 to support resilient and low-carbon urban development across low- and middle-income countries.

These are not additional "climate costs." They’re the foundational investments cities need to function well and grow equitably in a changing world. Done right, they can drive productivity, improve services, reduce fiscal risks, and create millions of local jobs.

So how much investment is needed? What are the key investments in different sectors? And where can cities and countries find the resources to fund and finance this transition?

Scroll down to find out. 

Banking on Cities goes beyond highlighting costs—it offers a roadmap. It outlines which financing strategies are best suited to different investment types and explores how cities can mobilize resources from across the spectrum. Crucially, it urges to look beyond climate-specific sources of finance, recognizing that much of the investment will require tapping broader financing sources.

To sum up, Banking on Cities means betting on the engines of tomorrow’s growth, jobs, and opportunity. For low- and middle-income countries, the right urban investments can unlock enormous economic potential—if they’re made wisely, inclusively, and urgently. With strategic funding, smarter financing, and greater efficiency, cities can lead the way toward a more sustinable, resilient, and prosperous future.