UN-HABITAT initiated the Habitat Partner University Initiative in order to respond to the effects of today's rapid urbanization. Universities produce the leaders, managers and planners required for adopting innovative and robust approaches to city development and they have the human capital and knowledge for promoting the solutions needed if cities are to deal with the challenges of the future. The Initiative aims at strengthening the cooperation between UN-HABITAT and institutions of higher education, as well as facilitating exchange and cooperation between universities in developing and developed countries.