Urban October 23

Photo credits: Johnny Miller

Cities are our future. Already more than half of the world’s population lives in cities.

By 2050, over 90 percent of the global population growth will take place in cities and global building stock is expected to double – even quadruple in some countries. In Africa alone, two-thirds of future cities are yet to be built. The role of cities as the main habitat of future generations stresses the importance of building cities that are sustainable, resilient and just. Cities produce 80 percent of global CO2 emissions and consume approximately three quarters of all natural resources. Thus, they hold an enormous climate and environmental protection potential, especially in the areas of basic supply, mobility, construction, water, and waste management.

At the same time, 70 percent of urban areas are already affected or threatened by the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, increased flooding, and heat waves. With the rise of global temperatures, conventional planning and building practices are leading to urban heat islands that threaten health and well-being, especially of the already vulnerable urban population. In order to effectively improve the living conditions in cities, climate adaptation strategies need to be incorporated into a sustainable urban development. From resource consumption, climate change, poverty reduction and participation to social cohesion, digitalisation and economic progress, virtually all issues affecting humanity’s future are decided upon in cities.

#UrbanOctoberGIZ

With the urgency for more sustainable cities in mind, the United Nations launched the “Urban October”; a month of events dedicated to promote a better urban future. In light of this year’s edition, UN-HABITAT calls upon its partner organisations to organise activities, events and discussions on urban sustainability to advance cooperation and the exchange of expertise.