Urban poverty is more present than most realize…

9 Feb 2026 · 1 min

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In this monologue, Dan Novaes highlights the stark contrast between the glossy image of thriving city skylines and the lived reality of millions residing in informal urban settlements. He explains that over a billion people live in densely packed neighborhoods that outpace the provision of essential services such as clean water, stable housing, and reliable transport. Novaes emphasizes that urban poverty is not just a matter of low income; it also entails higher per‑unit costs for food, water, and commuting because low‑income residents cannot buy in bulk, must travel farther to work, and have limited choices. These hidden expenses make the cost of being poor in a city higher than the cost of a comfortable lifestyle. The piece questions who truly benefits from rapid urban growth and investment, suggesting that while cities build towers and attract capital, millions continue to navigate daily struggles—one informal job, one long commute, and one rising bill at a time.

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When you look at a city skyline, it's easy to assume opportunity is everywhere. But behind many bright business districts are neighborhoods where families still struggle with basic things clean water, stable housing, safe streets, and affordable transport. Across the world, urban poverty is growing inside informal settlements, tightly packed areas built faster than services can keep up. More than a billion people now live in these kinds of communities, often paying high prices for small, crowded homes and still lacking reliable utilities. City life can be expensive in ways that don't show up in simple income numbers. Low income residents may spend more per unit on food, water and transport because they can't buy in bulk, live far from work, or have limited choices. The cost of being poor in a city is often higher than the cost of being comfortable. So when we talk about rich cities, the real question is rich for whom? A city can attract investment, build towers, and still leave millions of residents navigating life. One informal job, one long commute, and one rising bill at a time.