Is International Aid Good for Cities?

Access to reliable infrastructure financing is a key determinant of how rapidly growing cities can develop, yet funding models are shifting in ways that could reshape urban futures across the Global South. Traditional sources of capital are shrinking, while new streams are stepping in, raising questions about who sets the rules and whose priorities are being served. In this episode of Good for Cities, host Matti Siemyiatycki sits down with Astrid R.N. Haas, independent feminist urban economist, to tackle the challenge of financing rapid and equitable urban growth. They explore how cities in Africa and Asia are navigating declining support from traditional donors like the U.S., Canada, and the European Union, alongside new investment from initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road. The conversation examines how these shifts influence planning decisions, infrastructure strategies, and the long-term capacity of cities to guide their own growth.