This guide focuses on the effect of unplanned, rapid growth of cities on the functioning of the ecosystems in which they are located. It outlines how development can be guided to ensure the ability of ecosystems to support sustainable human settlement. The pattern of development in a region, properly managed, has a direct bearing on the capability of a city to function effectively and to benefit from ecosystem services. This guide offers a perspective on how to work with the ecological processes in a region. Its focus is specifically at the regional scale but it looks at the need to work across scales; to understand regional systems; and develop principles and measures that can be applied at the regional, city and local scales.