State of the World’s Cities Report 2001

1. State of the World’s Cities Report 2001 Published by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements Leanna Robertson - USA

2. Structure • Explores a range of urban issues: • Shelter • Society • Environment • Economy • Governance

3. Structure • Urbanization trends and issues: • Highly Industrialized Countries • Latin America & the Caribbean • Economies of Transition • Africa • Arab States • Asia & the Pacific

4. "The Report is significant in that it uses the city, rather than the country, as the basic unit of analysis. This means that we can now authoritatively differentiate between national development and urban development and make policy recommendations based on city data.” • Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UNCHS (Habitat)

5. Interesting Facts • In 2020, Asia and the Pacific region will host the largest number of urban dwellers in the world -- 1.97 billion people, or 46% of the region's projected total population of 4.298 billion. • Only a quarter of Europe's urban population lives in cities with more than 250,000 people; half the urban population lives in small towns of 10-50,000 people, while a quarter lives in medium-sized towns of 50-250,000 people. • Latin America and the Caribbean is the most urbanized region in the developing world, with 75 % of its population living in cities. • Lagos will be the third largest city in the world in 2010, after Tokyo and Mumbai.

6. Interesting Facts • One billion people live in inadequate housing, mostly in slums and squatter settlements in developing countries. • The right to adequate housing is recognized by 70% of the world's countries. • The Arab States region provides the greatest protection against forced evictions. • Informal sector employment makes up 37% of the total employment in developing countries as a whole and is as high as 45% in Africa. • Municipalities in highly industrialized countries obtain an average of US$ 2906 per capita in revenue per year. This figure is almost 200 times the average revenue obtained by African municipalities, which receive, on average, only US$ 14 per capita per year.

7. A World of Cities • Industrialization of late 18th century began the current phase of globalization • Increased movement of people, products and information • Due to inventions: steam engine, telegraph, telephone and telephone • Cities – “Focal point of global economic activity”

8. A World of Cities • In the last 200 years, the collective population of the world’s cities has grown from 30 million to 3 billion • i.e. 1 in 30 inhabitants to 1 in 2 • Share of output is typically higher in cities • Lima has 30% of Peru’s population but produces more than 40% of the national output • Bangkok has 40% of Thailand’s output with only 12% of the national population

9. Urban Shelter • Enabling: the private sector, local authorities and civil organizations are working as partners for sustainable urban development • Human Rights: less mass forced evictions and confrontation – more negotiation and participation • Women: growing roles with credit programs, and urban leadership • Local Delivery: a trend towards decentralization of “essential urban services”

10. Urban Society • Exclusion • Denied benefits of urban life • Forced to occupy land illegally, live in dangerous or unhealthy conditions, etc. • Lack formal education, skills training, health services, • Ethnicity, gender and religion

11. Urban Society • Inclusive Cities • Goal – for all citizens to participate in the social, economic, and political life of the city • Decentralization by giving more power to the people at the local level • This is a movement in several countries like Uganda, India, and Ghana. • A combination of partnerships between the community, and both public and private sector is encouraged.

12. Urban Environment • Principles of Sustainable Development • Efficiency: Resources should not be over exploited. Nether should they be un-utilized. • Sufficiency: Resources are to be used for absolutely necessary ends. Their use must aim for the highest marginal returns. • Consistency: Ecosystems should be managed in a manner that is compatible with each other. • Precaution: If the potential threats posed by the economic activity to ecosystems are serious or irreversible then action must be taken. If there is scientific uncertainty about the outcome then usage must be postponed until the outcome is certain.

13. Urban Economy • Cities are engines of economic growth & social development • They provide economies of scale & agglomeration • Large shares of GDP • Informal Sector vs Formal Sector

14. Best Practices Program • Address chronic social, eonomic & environmental programs • Data base of programs • Key areas • Environment, housing • Urban governance • Social services • Partnerships • Local & civil groups

15. Summary • People's processes and initiatives and enabling governing structures must work together to form partnerships that will encourage justice, equity and sustainability in cities. • A country's global success rests on local shoulders…for the good of all - citizens, city and state must become political partners rather than competitors. • Finally, if the goals require new political arrangements, institutional structures or constitutional amendments, it is never too late or too early to begin making changes.