The international interest in developing indicators that deal with the urban sector started in the beginning of the seventies parallel with the time in which the international community realized the challenges imposed by the increase of population in cities and towns. Specialists in urban issues at that time were confronted with the reality that cities and urban centers, even in developed countries, are suffering from a lack of information regarding urban sectors and that the available information are not enough to visualize the current situation and help specialists analyze these conditions as the first step in their way to suggest solutions.

       The stages of developing international indicators proceeded according to the following programs:

     -  Housing indicators program

     -  The first urban indicators program

     -  The second urban indicators program

     -  The Third urban indicators program

     -  Advancement of human development guide

     -  Millennium Development Goals