Half the
world’s population now lives in towns and cities. In little more than a
generation, two - thirds of the global population will be urban.
As the
proportion of humanity living in the urban environment grows, the need to
strengthen the urban focus of our efforts to reduce global poverty &
promote sustainable development is a moot point .
 |
| Dr. KR. Thooyavan |
Better
planned & better functioning cities only can help guide us to the future we
want: cities where everyone has adequate shelter, water, sanitation,
health basic services and what not; cities with good opportunities
for education and job prospects; cities with energy-efficient buildings and
public transport systems; cities are living organism and no doubt there is
growth and natural decay; that is why we have to bother much about our cities.
Good
practices of managing urban development exist in all nations – and we can learn
from the examples they provide. But we are a long way from turning the ideal of
sustainable, inclusive cities into reality.
Urban
areas are responsible for most of our waste and pollution. Many
are
particularly vulnerable to disasters, including the growing risks associated
with climate change.
Globally,
while we have achieved the Millennium Development Goal target of significantly
improving the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers 10 years in advance
of the 2020 deadline, absolute numbers
continue to grow. Nearly a quarter of urban residents – more than 85 Crore
people –live in slums or informal settlements.
Ninety
per cent of the world’s urban expansion is in the developing world. A sizeable
proportion of the inhabitants are young people – by 2030, as many as 60 per
cent of all urban dwellers will be under the age of 18. It is essential that
these young people have access to decent employment and Now people felt the
importance of sustainable development and municipal governments set a vision
for sustainable
cities, from planning new urban areas to revitalizing older cities and
neighbourhoods.
The
United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as world
habitat day. This year (2012), World Habitat Day had been celebrated on 1
October 2012. This 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 realize
their dreams of a better life. Even if this is not achieved, still many leave
the rural areas and migrate to the cities for no other reason than the promise
of a better future and prosperity.
Otherwise,
we can foresee the cities become slums and getting decayed. Under this theme,
“Changing Cities, Building opportunities” UN Habitat wants to underscore the
need to plan our cities when well planned,
cities can continue to afford opportunities to both the current and future
residents. We the stakeholders promise to build a better city.
Photo:
Dr. KR.
Thooyavan in Happy Home Grahapravesam Ambattur Property expo
About the
author..!
Editor
In Chief at Our Building and Construction Magazine.
Dr. KR.
Thooyavan, B.E., M.T.P, F.I.E., FITR, F.I.V.,
PG.DIP.US
(ITC-Holland) Ph.D
Chief
Planner & Member (Retd),
CMDA
Former Dean Hindustan College of Engg.
Professor
(Design Chair), Measi Academy of Architecture,
87,
Peters Road, Chennai - 600 014
Email:
krt1945@gmail.com
Photos by K R VIMAL, Professional Still
Photographer,
Cell: 94442 26335
Email:
vimalammu@gmail.com
Src: Our
Building and Construction, October 2012
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