| Summary: | This book covers a selection of updated and peerreviewed papers on 'Innovation in the urban age' - a conference held in 2014. The new urban age has been one that has been marked by challenges which has impacted on both developed and developing countries alike; however; it does offer opportunities to respond very positively to global issues such as poverty; inequality; climate change and social marginalisation and poor basic service delivery. The New Urban Agenda that has been proposed by the international community is expected to be all encompassing in terms of responding to global challenges such as inter alia, urban poverty, slums; social marginalisation and inequality and economic depression. There is a need to have a shared vision and understanding of the global challenges that need to be addressed by all the key players and stakeholders, namely governments, the private sector, the citizenry and non governmental organisations for innovative and genuine partnerships to be effected in terms of responding to these issues (www.scn.sap.com/community/public.sector). The private sector is generally perceived to be better managed, accessible and more efficient, although it is unregulated and inequitable. Joint collaboration and public - private partnerships can improve equity, accessibility and quality and can be mutually beneficial in terms of exchange of resources, technology, knowledge and skills, cost efficiency and public image.
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