World Habitat Day 2010

This year’s United Nations World Habitat Day focused on how we can improve cities for the billion people living in urban poverty around the world. With the theme ‘Better City, Better Life’, activities and events to mark the day on October 4 addressed the world’s growing urban population, and the many ways we can make our cities more livable.

The global observance of World Habitat Day was held at the Shanghai World Expo 2010, at which the UN had its own pavilion, and individual events exploring the theme were also held in many countries around the world.

UN chief’s message
The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, released the following message on the day:

‘As our world grows predominantly urban, World Habitat Day provides an annual opportunity to reflect on how we can make our towns and cities better places for all. With the theme Better City, Better Life, this year’s observance highlights the actions and policies that can improve well-being for the billion people who live in slums and other sub-standard housing around the world.

‘Typically living in developing countries, and largely powerless, disenfranchised and under the age of 25, the urban poor are too often condemned to a life without basic rights, hope of an education or decent work. Lacking adequate provision of fresh water, electricity, sanitation or health care, they suffer privations that all too often provide the tinder for the fires of social unrest. Vulnerable to exploitation and corruption, they need and deserve better cities and a better life.

‘The challenges of urban poverty – from pollution to criminal gang culture – are not insurmountable. Many cities are finding successful solutions. Smart cities recognize the importance of good governance, basic urban services for all, and streets and public spaces where women and children feel safe. They also recognize that better cities can help to mitigate global challenges, such as climate change, by promoting energy conservation and environmental sustainability.

‘Creating better cities demands the combined efforts of national and local governments, civil society and the private sector, supported by the best efforts of the United Nations system. On World Habitat Day, let us pledge to join hands to make better cities for a better future for all.’

The urban era
In a statement on World Habitat Day, the Officer in Charge of UN Habitat, Inga Björk-Klevby, said: ‘Today half of humanity lives in towns and cities, and the trends show that this figure will increase to two-thirds within the next two generations.

‘This is why the theme chosen for World Habitat Day, Better city, better life is so important to all of us. To that I would add the term smarter city, for it is only a smart city that can provide its citizens with a better life in our planet’s new urban era. It is an era we are entering with many unknowns, especially when it comes to the global impact of climate change.’

Strategies for better cities
Ms Björk-Klevby outlined five strategic steps to help make our cities better and smarter:

1. Improve the quality of life, especially for the estimated 1 billion people living in slums and other sub-standard housing around the world. Improved access to safe and healthy shelter, secure tenure, basic services and social amenities such as health and education are essential to a better life for every individual.

2. Invest in human capital. This is a condition for socio-economic development and a more equitable distribution of the urban advantage. This will also enable cities and regions to implement policies more effectively and to ensure that they are properly adjusted to local needs.

3. Foster sustained economic opportunities. Cities can stimulate sustained economic growth for the poor through labour-intensive projects. These include primarily public works and the construction industry. Cities in the developing world are starting to provide social security to give better access to economic opportunities for those traditionally excluded.

4. Enhance political inclusion. Today, more and more municipal and national authorities share the same basic philosophy: bringing government within the reach of ordinary people through enhanced mutual engagement. This means engaging people and their neighbourhoods in dialogue and participation in decision-making as a fundamental aspect of local democracy.

5. Promote cultural inclusion. Culture has historically been left out of the conventional international development agenda. More and more local development policies take into account the cultural dimensions of urban life, such as social capital, tradition, symbols, a sense of belonging and pride of place. This helps integrate ethnic minorities, preserve regional values, safeguard linguistic and religious diversity, resolve conflicts and protect the heritage.

‘As we move into a world of better cities with smarter policies, these are the five essential catalysts for success and a better life for all,’ Ms Björk-Klevby said.

Leave a comment