Every year on October 31, starting in 2014, World Cities Day is celebrated, which was established by a resolution of the UN General Assembly (A/RES/68/239) in December 2013 in order to attract the attention of the general international community to the problems of global urbanization. The resolution also speaks of the need to strengthen cooperation between countries in seizing opportunities and solving problems associated with this process in order to ensure sustainable urban development throughout the world.
It must be said that this international holiday is dedicated to one of the greatest and most complex creations of humanity. It is no secret that the socio-economic development of any city depends on its urbanization: how comfortable it is for people to live in it in terms of safety, ecology, developed infrastructure, quality of services provided, etc. Therefore, equitable and needs-appropriate access to basic urban services is one of the foundations of sustainable urbanization, and therefore socio-economic development in general.
According to the UN, more than half of the world's population currently lives in cities, and by 2050, 68% of the world's population will be urban residents. For reference – at the beginning of the 1800s there were 2% of the population, and by 1950 – was 30%. Every day, cities around the world are replenished by almost 180 thousand people. And as an increasing proportion of the population, economic, social and cultural activities are concentrated in cities, they are under increasing pressure and risks for sustainable development, including in the areas of housing, infrastructure, food security, health, education, the labor market, the environment and general security. Thus, most of the urban population of Africa and South Asia are slum dwellers, and in the next 15 years the number of cities in these countries will almost double. In general, the global population of slum dwellers exceeds 900 million people.
Despite UN efforts to develop and implement programs aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens, including slum dwellers, numerous forms of poverty remain today, inequality, environmental degradation, social and economic exclusion of certain groups of the population and spatial segregation are growing. All of these factors are forcing the global community to scale up and coordinate its further efforts to ensure sustainable development of urban and other human settlements.
To develop an effective action plan and monitor its implementation, the UN holds conferences on human settlements. The first was held in Vancouver in 1976 (Habitat-I), then Istanbul in 1996 (Habitat-II), and in 2016 the international community hosted the third UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in Quito.
The UN recommends that governments and Habitat Agenda partners use planned urban expansion methodologies to manage the sustainable development of cities experiencing rapid urban growth to prevent slum growth, increase access to basic urban services, support housing for all residents, expanding employment opportunities and creating safe and healthy living conditions. Planned urbanization increases the ability of cities to generate employment and wealth, and promote diversity and social cohesion among different classes, cultures, ethnic groups and religions. Cities designed to live together create opportunities, connect and interact, and promote the sustainable use of shared resources.
The common theme of World Cities Day is the motto: «Better city – better life». The events held on this day are dedicated to the best experiences of urban development or individual problems that are associated with urbanization. Therefore, every year the topic is specified differently.
According to the UN, more than half of the world's population currently lives in cities (Photo: Natursports, licensed from Shutterstock.com)
Today, the General Assembly invites all States, the UN-Habitat system, relevant international organizations, civil society and all other stakeholders and individuals who care about the development of the urban settlements in which they live to celebrate and raise awareness of World Cities Day. Traditionally, conferences and seminars are held on this day, where participating countries share their experience of urban urban growth.
For example, in Russia, on October 31, 2014, as part of the first World Cities Day in Volgograd, the international forum «Political solutions and sustainable development of territories» was held, where they discussed new approaches in searching for potentials and in urban development, identifying strategic drivers and stimulating municipalities to openness and cooperation.
The event brought together representatives of international associations of cities of the European Parliament, interregional organizations – «Eurasian Regional Office of the World Organization United Cities and Local Authorities», «International Assembly of Capitals and Large Cities», Union of Russian Cities, Association of Volga Region Cities, delegations of sister cities and partners of Volgograd. Representatives of Russian municipalities also took part in the forum. Volgograd was not chosen by chance – this city is one of the founders of the global sister city movement.
By the way, today's Day – is also an occasion to pay tribute to the mayors and other top officials of the cities for their efforts to improve the lives of the residents of these settlements. Urban transformation requires political will and the ability to coordinate the actions of many actors and stakeholders. Mayors are representatives of the aspirations of the population and play a central role in ensuring proper urban planning and in turning cities into sources of well-being, innovation and social cohesion.
It must also be said that on October 31, World Cities Day ends the annual «October in the city», since every first Monday in October World Habitat Day – of the UN Human Settlements Program is celebrated. This UN organization focuses on urban space, access to land, housing, basic services and infrastructure in urban areas and urban governance.