As World
Habitat Day comes to an end and as we inch nearer to municipal Election Day in
communities across Saskatchewan (October 24), have a look-see at the State of the World’s
Cities Report 2012/2013: Prosperity of Cities. It’s a worthy read and
contains some really interesting facts and solid policy suggestions.
The UN
HABITAT is a wonderful portal of civic information. Consider making it part of
your regular ‘civic exercise routine.’
As shared on the UN Habitat website (www.un.habitat.org - retrieved Oct. 1,
2012):
The United Nations has designated the first Monday every year as
World Habitat Day…The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities
and the basic right of all, to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind
the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.
The United Nations chose the theme Changing Cities, Building
Opportunities because cities are the engines of growth. It is in the cities
that many realise their dreams of a better life. Even if this is not achieved,
still many more leave the rural areas and flock to the cities for no other
reason than the promise of a better future and prosperity. This they achieve by
either getting jobs or by starting businesses which at one point not only
provide for the owners but even other employees thus creating jobs.
Under this theme,
UN-Habitat wants to underscore the need to plan our cities better because as
has also been stated, unplanned growth of cities lead to chaotic development
and urban sprawl. When well planned, cities can continue to afford
opportunities to both the current and future residents. This dovetails with the
new UN-Habitat campaign, I am a city changer which seeks to involve all in
making their cities a better place to live.
The
world's urban population now exceeds the world's rural population Un Habitat
reflects on the following question: What
does this mean for the state of our cities, given the strain this global
demographic shift is placing upon current urban infrastructure? One of the key resources developed by the UN
Habititat as part of this year’s World Urban Forum is the State of the World’s Cities Report
2012/2013: Prosperity of Cities. It’s an intensive report that
contains three main sections that is interspersed with numerous facts and
policy suggestions: Prosperity and Urban
Trends; Prosperity of Cities; Policies for Prosperous Cities.
As taken
from the report’s Forward:
The
Report proposes a fresh approach to prosperity, one that is holistic and
integrated and which is essential for the promotion of a collective well-being
and fulfilment of all…. In this Report, UN-Habitat advocates for a new type of city
– the city of the 21st century – that is a ‘good’, people centred city, one
that is capable of integrating the tangible and more intangible aspects of
prosperity, and in the process shedding
off the inefficient, unsustainable forms and functionalities of the city of the
previous century. By doing this, UN-Habitat plays a pivotal role in ensuring
that urban planning, legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks become an
instrument of prosperity and well-being.
The report
goes on to define a prosperous city as one that provides….
Productivity:
Contributes to economic growth and
development, generates income, provides decent jobs and equal opportunities for
all by implementing effective economic policies and reforms
Quality
of life: Enhances the use of public spaces in order to increase
community cohesion, civic identity, and guarantees the safety and security of
lives and property
Equity
and social inclusion: Ensures the equitable distribution and redistribution of
the benefits of a prosperous city, reduces poverty and the incidence of slums,
protects the rights of minority and vulnerable groups, enhances gender
equality, and ensures civic participation in the social, political and cultural
spheres
Environmental
sustainability: Values the protection of the urban environment and natural
assets while ensuring growth, and seeking ways to use energy more efficiently,
minimize pressure on surrounding land and natural resources, minimize environmental
losses by generating creative solutions to enhance the quality of the
environment. – taken from Table 1.1, p14.
You can find a pdf of the full
report by clicking here - http://www.unhabitat.org/pmss/listItemDetails.aspx?publicationID=3016). Enjoy, share, and Be Informed.
