The recommendations supported by the Ford Foundation and UN-Habitat, put forward eight priorities to achieve sustainable urbanisation. It emphasises urbanisation as a driver for economic world growth and development.
Local and Regional governments stress that it is in the cities around the world which take most the stress of globalization, migration, social inequality, environmental pollution, climate change and youth unemployment. Yet they produce currently more 75 per cent of the world’s of GDP. In this regard, cities and regions cite the need of achieving cities that are environmentally sustainable, socially responsible and economically productive.
Mr. Kadir Topbas, Mayor of Istanbul and UCLG President, affirmed that local and regional governance should be clearly included in the international institutional framework of Rio+20. The UCLG President also stated that Rio+20 should set the ground for the Habitat III Conference and that a clear role should be devoted to local and regional authorities in the Post 2015 development agenda.
Dr. Clos, said that already more than half of the population were now living in urban areas: “We appeal to prioritize sustainable urban development through good urban design, urban legislation, economy and governance to face the challenges of the 21st Century,” he said. |
