SUSTAINABLE CITIES: WHY THEY MATTER

9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air, but more countries are taking action.

Air pollution levels remain dangerously high in many parts of the world. New data from WHO shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. Updated estimations reveal an alarming death toll of 7 million people every year caused by ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution.

What’s the goal here?

To make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Resilient cities are cities that have the ability to absorb, recover and prepare for future shocks (economic, environmental, social & institutional). Resilient cities promote sustainable development, well-being and inclusive growth. ??

4 AREAS THAT DRIVE RESILIENCE

Economy

• A diverse number of industries
• A dynamic economy to generate growth
• Conditions allow innovation to take place
• People have access to employment, education,?services, skills training.

Governance

• Clear leadership and management
• Strategic and integrated approaches are taken by leaders
• Public sector has the right skills
• Government is open and transparent

Society

• Society is inclusive and cohesive
• Citizens’ networks in communities are active
• Neighborhood is safe
• Citizens enjoy healthy lives

Environment

• Ecosystem is sound and diverse
• Infrastructure can meet basic needs
• Adequate natural resources are available
• Coherent policy towards land use

Over 90 per cent of COVID19 cases are occurring in urban areas, with the 1 billion residents of the world’s densely populated slums being hit the hardest. Even before the coronavirus, rapid urbanization meant that 4 billion people – over half of the global population.

What are some of the most pressing challenges that cities face today?

Inequality and the levels of urban energy consumption?and pollution are some of the challenges. Cities occupy just 3 per cent of the Earth’s land, but account for 60-80 per cent of energy consumption and 75 per cent of carbon emissions. Many cities are also more vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters due to their high concentration of people and location so building urban resilience is crucial to avoid human, social and economic losses.

What can I do to help achieve this goal?

Take an active interest in the governance and management of your city. Advocate for the kind of city you believe you need. Develop a vision for your building, street, and neighborhood, and act on that vision. Are there enough jobs? Can your children walk to school safely? Can you walk with your family at night? How far is the nearest public transport? What’s the air quality like? What are your shared public spaces like? The better the conditions you create in your community, the greater the effect on quality of life.

There are several issue with our cities, All these issues will eventually affect every citizen and future generation. Inequality can lead to unrest and insecurity, pollution deteriorates everyone’s health and affects workers’ productivity and therefore the economy, and natural disasters have the potential to disrupt everyone’s lifestyles.