PHA-Exch> State of the World's Cities 2008/2009 - Harmonious Cities

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Ruggiero, Mrs. Ana Lucia (WDC) <ruglucia at paho.org>
crossposted from: EQUIDAD at listserv.paho.org

 *State of the World’s Cities 2008/2009 - Harmonious Cities*

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Earthscan in the UK and USA in 2008 for and on behalf of the*
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), 2008*



Available online as PDF file [288p.] at:

http://www.unchs.org/pmss/getElectronicVersion.asp?nr=2562&alt=1



“…….Half of humanity now lives in cities, and within two decades, nearly 60
per cent of the world’s people will be urban dwellers. Urban growth is most
rapid in the developing world, where cities gain an average of 5 million
residents every month. As cities grow in size and population, harmony among
the spatial, social and environmental aspects of a city and between their
inhabitants becomes of paramount importance. This harmony hinges on two key
pillars: equity and sustainability.  “



“……Cities embody some of society’s most pressing challenges, from pollution
and disease to unemployment and lack of adequate shelter. But cities are
also venues where rapid, dramatic change is not just possible but expected.
Thus they present real opportunities for increasing energy efficiency,
reducing disparities in development and improving living conditions in
general. National and local governments can promote harmonious urbanization
by supporting pro-poor, inclusive and equitable urban development and by
strengthening urban governance structures and processes. History
demonstrates that integrated urban policy can be a solid path towards
development.



Contrary to popular opinion, inequality and the unsustainable use of energy
are not inevitable aspects of urban development, nor are they necessary for
urbanization and economic growth to occur. Rather, as this report
illustrates, cities can advance the prosperity of their inhabitants while
achieving equitable social outcomes and fostering the sustainable use of
resources.



Today, many small, well-managed cities in both the developing and developed
worlds are enjoying rapid growth, giving us a chance to stave off entrenched
poverty and cultivate healthy environments in which people can thrive.



The data and analysis contained in this report are intended to improve our
understanding of how cities function and what we, as a global community, can
do to increase their liveability and unity. In that spirit, I commend this
report to policymakers, mayors, citizens’ groups and all those concerned
with the welfare of our urbanizing world………..”….   *Ban Ki-moon,
Secretary-General, United Nations*

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*Contents*

*Part 1: SPATIAL HARMONY*

1.1. The Spatial Distribution of the World’s Cities.

1.2. Urban Growth Patterns

1.3. Which Cities are Growing and Why

1.4. Shrinking Cities.

*Part 2: SOCIAL HARMONY*

2.1. Why Urban Inequality Matters

2.2. Urban Inequalities: Regional Trends .

2.3. Education, Employment and City Size .

2.4. Slums: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2.5. Slum Cities and Cities with Slums. .

*Part 3: ENVIRONMENTAL HARMONY*

3.1. Urban Environmental Risks and Burdens

3.2. Cities and Climate Change

3.3. Cities at Risk from Rising Sea Levels .

3.4. Energy Consumption in Cities

3.5. Urban Energy Consumption at the Household Level

3.6. Urban Mobility. . 174

*Part 4: PLANNING FOR HARMONIOUS CITIES*

4.1. Inclusive Urban Planning for Harmonious Urban Development.

4.2. Building Bridges: Social Capital and Urban Harmony

4.3. Unifying the Divided City.

4.4. Addressing Rural-Urban Disparities for Harmonious Regional Development

4.5. Metropolitan Governance: Governing in a City of Cities.



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