Century Square, Pudong, , . Photo © Shutterstock World Habitat Day 2010 Better , Better Life

“With half of humanity now living in an urban environment, the world is at the dawn of a new urban era. Expo 2010 in Shanghai, under the theme “Better City, Better Life”, is the first global exposition dedicated to the potential and the problems of urban living in the 21st century.” – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, 2009

“While liveable depend upon rational economics, that is just one leg of the stool. If our cities are to be truly sustainable and harmonious, we must improve the lives and well-being of everyone, especially the urban poor. We must not continue to consume natural resources at rates that deny opportunity to our children and grandchildren.” – UN-HABITAT Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka, 2009

2 Shanghai, China. Photo © shutterstock.com Introduction

We are pleased to announce that the ills that afflict our daily lives, the global observance of World especially in the developing world. Habitat Day this year will be held The exhibitions will display our at the Shanghai World Expo knowledge, many best practices, 2010. Hosted by China’s Ministry and our unity of purpose in bringing of Housing and Urban Rural the new World Urban Campaign for Development and the Shanghai better, more sustainable cities to a Municipal Commission of Urban and wide global audience. Rural Construction and Transport, the celebration of World Habitat The Better Cities, Better Life theme Day will be a major concluding highlights our vision of a sustainable highlight of the Expo at which the urban world that harnesses has its own pavilion. potentials and possibilities, mitigates inequalities and disparities, and The Shanghai World Expo presents provides a home for people of all an excellent venue for the global cultures and ages, both rich and observance because its theme, poor. Better City, Better Life makes it the first global exposition dedicated The global observance of World to the potential and the problems Habitat Day will be closely linked of urban living in the 21st century. to a special meeting on the Livable The Expo, 1 May to 31 City in a Harmonious Society 2010, is expected to attract over hosted by the city of Hangzhou 70 million visitors to an array of and co-sponsored by the Bureau of cultural programmes and events Shanghai World Expo Coordination, organized by exhibitors from around the Ministry of Housing and Urban- 200 countries and 50 international Rural Development of China and organizations. It will show exciting UN-HABITAT. It is one of six major new ideas to make our cities much such discussions on key urban better places at a time it is projected topics including sustainability, urban that in the next generation, 70 development, the environment, percent of humanity will be living in economy, cultural heritage, science and cities. The Urban Best and innovation. The meetings will Practices Area will show leading culminate in a Summit Forum at case studies from cities around the the close of the Expo on Urban world. Innovation and Sustainable Development attended by world The United Nations Pavilion will leaders, city mayors, and other depict the theme, One Earth, One global urban movers and shakers. UN. Coordinated by UN-HABITAT as the lead UN agency on urban matters, it will showcase the best of the United Nations in making our urban environments better and smarter when it comes to reducing , crime, fuel consumption, pollution, waste, and so many of

3 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

Raise awareness in your city - organize a world habitat day event 2010

World Habitat Day provides an excellent opportunity 6. Organise fund raising, recreational or to highlight key human settlements issues. We would entertainment activities like football matches, or like to thank all our partners who in past years have concerts, and use the proceeds to upgrade and organized awareness raising activities on the day and extend services for poor communities. have described the celebrations that took place around the world in 2009 in this report. 7. Encourage postal authorities to issue special World Habitat Day stamps. This year, we again call on our partners in central government, local government, civil society the private 8. Education authorities in collaboration with sector and the media to take part in organizing activities local and national authorities can encourage to raise awareness and stimulate debate on the the introduction into the school curriculum of important theme, Better Cities, Better Life. teaching programmes about urban safety.

Guidelines UN-HABITAT support As a guide, here are some of the activities that you can To support city and country-level activities, UN-HABITAT help organize: will compile an information kit including a poster, and a short video on the theme for use by any partner 1. Use mass media, particularly newspapers, radio planning a World Habitat Day event. Information kits and television, to draw attention to World are mailed to our partners including governments, Habitat Day celebrations. If possible, issue inter-governmental organizations, private sector and press releases, display posters, organize press non-governmental organizations and United Nations conferences, and broadcast video and audio agencies, information offices and country offices. spots. 2. Draw attention to the problems and issues on this year’s theme, particularly urban Keep us informed safety, crime prevention and social justice Please let us know if you wish to organize a local through press articles, radio and television awareness-raising event by sending an e-mail to whd@ documentaries and panel programmes with unhabitat.org providing as many details as possible policy makers, government officials, academics, about the event. And once World Habitat Day is over, journalists, other professionals, and community please provide us brief details of media coverage and representatives. photographs if possible. We will post these on the World Habitat Day page of our website www.unhabitat. 3. Organise public information campaigns, and org, which receives millions of visitors. We will also use popular theatre to create awareness of the include them in the final World Habitat Day report, problems and issues. which is sent to all our partners. Thank you for your 4. Use the occasion to publicize, reward and continued support. demonstrate tangible improvements in urban safety and social justice, particularly urban crime and violence, forced eviction and insecurity of tenure, as well as natural and human-made disasters in your community. 5. Organize competitions to find solutions to human settlements and urban problems. Essay and painting competitions help create awareness and enhance the World Habitat Day theme in education and schools and colleges.

4 World Habitat Day - global observances from 1986 to 2009

Year Themes Venue Chief Guest 2009 Planning Our Urban Future Washington D.C. Shaun Donovan, Secretary of State, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary 2008 Harmonious Cities President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos 2007 A Safe City is a Just City Ms. Ella Vogelaar, Minister for Housing, Communities and Integration; Mr. Bert Koenders, Minister for Development Cooperation Monterrey Minister for Social Development, Ms. Beatriz Zavala Peniche 2006 Cities Magnets of Hope Naples Vittorio Craxi, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of Multi-lateral affairs, Italy Kazan Kamil Iskhakov, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in Far East Federal Region and President of the United Cites and Local Government Euro-Asia Regional Section 2005 The Millennium Development Goals and the City President 2004 Cities - Engines of Rural Development President Mwai Kibaki 2003 Water and Sanitation for Cities Mayor of Rio de Janeiro 2002 City-to-City Cooperation H.R.H. Prince Philippe 2001 Cities without Slums Fukuoka Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture 2000 Women in Urban Governance Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land and Environment 1999 Cities for All Dalian Minister of Construction, China 1998 Safer Cities Dubai Director General Dubai Municipality UA 1997 Future Cities Federal Minister for Regional Planning, Building and Urban Development, 1996 , Citizenship Minister of the Interior and Human Solidarity, 1995 Our Neighbourhood Curitiba Mayor of Curitiba 1994 Home and the Family Dakar President of 1993 Women and Shelter Development UN, New York Secretary General, United Nations 1992 Shelter and Sustainable Development UN, New York Secretary General, United Nations 1991 Shelter and the Living Environment Mayor of Hiroshima 1990 Shelter and Urbanization Hon. Sir Geoffrey Howe 1989 Shelter, Health and the Family Jakarta President of 1988 Shelter and Community London Archbishop of Canterbury 1987 Shelter for the Homeless New York Secretary General, United Nations 1986 Shelter is my Right Nairobi USG, UNCHS (Habitat) 5 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

An occasion to honour the best Habitat Scroll of Honour Award Winners 1989 to 2009

2009 The Mwanza Rural Housing Programme 2003 Peter Oberlander, Canada from Tanzania Mrs. Margaret Catley-Carlson, Canada Un Techo Para Mi Pais, Chile Weihai Municipal Government, China Rizhao Municipal Government, China 2006 Mr. German Garcia Duran, Colombia CEMEX, Mexico The National Cities Conference Ms. Nasreen Mustafa Sideek, Iraq The City of Grozny, Russia Programme, Ministry of Cities Pamoja Trust, The Saudi Al-Medina Al Munawarah Local The Yangzhou Municipal People’s Mrs. Sankie D. Mthembi-Mahanyele, South Urban Observatory, Saudi Arabia Government of China Africa The Alexandra Renewal Project, South The French firm Veolia Environment, Water Supply and Sanitation France Africa Collaborative Council, Switzerland The Government of Alexandria, Egypt Ms. Zena Daysh, Commonwealth Human The City of Malmö, Sweden Cardinal Renato Martino, President Ecology Council, UK Uganda Women’s Efforts to Save of the Political Council for Justice and Ms. Teolinda Bolívar, Venezuela Children (UWESO), Uganda Peace His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Jan Peterson of Huairou Commission, United Pag IBIG Fund, The Philippines Thailand States of America Federation Yaroslavl City Neal Peirce, Journalist, United States of Administration, Russia. America 2002 City-to-City cooperation between 2005 Nakuru, Kenya and Leuven, 2008 The Municipal Basic Information Research, Brazilian Institute of Municipal The ancient canal city of Shaoxing in Brazil Administration, Brazil Zhejiang Province, eastern China The Municipal People’s Government of Baotou Municipal Government, China The bustling port city of Zhangjiagang Yantai, China in Jiangsu Province, also in eastern CITYNET based in Yokohama, China The Municipality of Kazan City, Russia Dutch Habitat Platform, The The city of Bugulma in the Tartarstan Ms. Rose Molokoane, South Africa Republic of western Russia. Sarvodaya Shramandana Movement, Sri Mayor Joan Clos, Spain The capital of Rwanda, Kigali. Lanka ENDA Tiers Monde, Dakar, Senegal The City of Juarez Professor Johan Silas, Indonesia Ren Frank, USA Habitat Scroll of Honour Special Jakarta Metropolitan City, Indonesia John Hodges (Special Citation), United Citation awarded to the Nanjing North Sumatra Governor Tengku Rizal Kingdom Municipal Government Nurdin (posthumous), Indonesia

2001 2007 2004 Hangzhou Municipal Government, China The Nanning Municipal People’s Xiamen Municipal People’s Government, Ms. Pastora Nuez Gonzalez, Cuba Government of China China Bremer Beginenhof Modell, Germany Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler, Historian of Centre for Development the City of Havana, Cuba Communication, India Fukuoka City, Japan Institute for Housing and Urban President Joaquim Chissano, Mozambique Father Pedro Opeka, Madagascar Development Studies, The Netherlands The Big Issue magazine, United Centre on Housing Rights and Eviction, Lieutenant-General Nadeem Ahmed, Kingdom Switzerland Deputy Chairman, Earthquake Prime Minister Rafik Hariri (Special Television Trust for the Environment (TVE), Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Citation), Lebanon UK Asiaweek Magazine, Hong Kong Authority, Pakistan Chairperson The Palestinian Housing Council The Cooperating Committee for Japan Russia, the Stavropol City Habitat Fukuoka Office (Special Citation), Administration’s project Japan 6 2000 1996 Ms. Ana Vasilache, Romania Hou Jie, Minister of Construction, (Special Ms. Caroline Pezzullo, United States Citation), China Mrs. Jacqueline da Costa, Jamaica Peter Kimm (Special Citation), United States Women and Peace Network, Costa Rica Mohamed Hashi, Mayor of Hargeisa, Ms. Mary Jane, The Philippines Somalia International Union of Local Authorities, The late Sidhijai Tanphiphat, Thailand based in The Netherlands Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Ms. Sheela Patel, India Zambia Mr. Charles Keenja, Tanzania The SISCAT Group, Ms. Mmatshilo Motsei, South Africa Jnos SZAB, Budapest

1999 1995 Ms. Habiba Eid, Egypt Comunidades Programme State Mr. Bo Xilai Mayor of Dalian, China Government of Cear, Brazil National Slum Dwellers Federation, India Foundation in Support of Local Mr. Alvaro Villota Berna, Colombia Democracy, Poland President Rudolf Schuster, Slovak Republic Urban Community Development Office, Mr. Pierre Laconte, Belgium Thailand Mr. Millard Fuller, USA Mr. Gangadhar Rao Dattatri, India Hon. Kwamena Ahwoi, Ghana Projet de Taza, Agence Nationale de lutte contre l’Habitat Insalubre (ANHI), Morocco Operation Firimbi, Kenya La cooperative des veuves de Save Duhozanye, Rwanda 1998 Shanghai Municipal Housing Project, China Programa de Mobilizaco de Mr. Joe Slovo (deceased), South Africa Comunidades, Brazil Fu-Nan River Comprehensive Revitalization Project Chendu, China 1994 Mayor Mu Suixin, Mayor of Shenyang, Mr. Qassim Sultan, China Bank Tabungan Negara (State Housing Forum Européene pour la Sécurité Urbaine, Bank of Indonesia) France Indonesia Programme d’Habitat Cooperatif, Prof. Akin L. Mabogunje, Nigeria Senegal Vladimir A. Kudryavtsev, Russia Mr. Jorge E. Hardoy (deceased), Argentina Association des Habitants del Mourouje, Tunisia Housing Development Administration, Turkey

1997 1993 Sen. Oscar Lopez Velarde Vega, México Cités Unies Developpement, France Mother Center Stuttgart, Germany Build Together Programme, Namibia South African Homeless Peoples Federation, South Africa Mr. Anthony Williams Bullard, Mayor Huang Ziqiang, China Reinhard Goethert and Nabeel Hamdi, United States, Britain 1992 Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Intermediate Technology Development Canada Group, United Kingdom Mr. Peter Elderfield (Special Citation), United Shenzhen Housing Bureau, China Kingdom Habitat International Coalition, Mexico Mr. Radinal Moochtar, Minister of Public Works (Special Citation), Indonesia East Wahdat Upgrading Project, Jordan Earthquake Emergency Reconstruction and Pervious Habitat Scroll of Honor winners. Rehabilitation Programme, Nepal Photos © UN-HABITAT 7 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

Rural Housing Reconstruction with National Housing Development 1989 Appropriate Technologies, Ecuador Authority, Sri Lanka Mr.Otto Koenigsberger, United Kingdom Namuwongo Upgrading and Low-Cost Housing and Urban Development Mr.Hassan Fathy, Egypt Housing, Uganda Cooperation, India Mr.Lauchlin Currie, United States New Urban Communities in Egypt, Housing Development Finance Egypt Corporation, India Habitat for Humanity International, United States World Relief Housing Sengki Land-sharing Project, Thailand Reconstruction Project, El Salvador Projet Assistance IECOSAT, Burundi Woodless Construction Project, Niger Institute for Building Materials, Viet Nam Mr. Laurie Baker, India Tamako Nakanishi, Japan Mr. Yona Friedman, United States Arch. Leandro Quintana Uranga, Venezuela Mayor Jaime Lerner Curitiba, Brazil Mr. Rozanov Evgueni Grigorievich, Russian Federation 1990 Mr. John F.C.Turner, United Kingdom Lord Scarman, United Kingdom Tangshan Municipal Government, China Construyamos, Colombia 1991 Craterre, France Ministry of Housing and Human Stone Conservation and Development Settlements, Costa Rica Authority, United Republic of Tanzania Urban Development Authority, Human Settlement Foundation, Thailand Singapore American Society of Clinical Oncology, Cooperative Housing Foundation, United Chicago, ILL. United States Global Ccelebration of World States Habitat Day, 2009. Washington DC, USA. Photos © UN-HABITAT

8 Global Observance of World Habitat Day 2009 in Washington D.C., United States of America

The global observation of the 2009 World Habitat Day, held at the magnificent National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. on 5 October was a success that set new standards. Hosting the celebrations for the first time ever in the United States, the Obama Administration transformed World Habitat Day into a World Habitat Week, significantly raising awareness for sustainable urbanization at home and abroad. A US Honorary Committee for World Habitat Day was established, co-chaired by Valerie Jarrett, Advisor to the President and Melody Barnes, Director, White UN-HABITAT Executive Director, Mrs Anna Tibaijuka during the 2009 World Habitat Day House Domestic Policy Council. celebrations in Washington DC, USA. Photo © UN-HABITAT Comprising key Members of Congress, the Brookings Institution, Woodrow Wilson Center, US Conference of Mayors, Business Civic Leadership Conference, American Planners Association, and Habitat for Humanity International, among others, the Committee organized high level events on 5 October and thirty affiliated events from 1 to 8 October. The climax of celebrations was a video message from President Barack Obama. The President said He added that World Habitat Day US President Barack Obama gives a keynote that his administration was looking address on the occassion of World Habitat 2009 came at a critical time when Day 2009. Photo © BSHF towards stronger partnerships with many people were faced with the other organizations in addressing spectre of homelessness. Foundation, was represented by the challenges facing American its President, Dr. Judith Rodin, who people, including housing. It was Obama’s message was underscored presided over the ceremony and only through partnerships that the by the chief host, US Secretary of delivered a powerful call to action challenges could be addressed, on Housing and Urban Development, for our urban future. Their remarks its own the US government could Shaun Donovan, and the Co- where augmented by statements not succeed. Chairs, Valerie Jarrett and Melody from Adolfo Carrion, Director of Barnes. Ambassador Susan Rice, “World Habitat Day is a good the White House Office of Urban US Permanent Representative to Affairs and Jonathan Reckford, chance to look into the problem of the United Nations gave a keynote people without housing and how President, Habitat for Humanity address at the opening while Ann International. to help them,” he said in the video- Marie Slaughter, Director, Office taped message to participants of Policy Planning, presented the In his opening address Secretary marking the one-day occasion at a perspective of the Department of Donovan said: “We face the colourful ceremony at the National State at a dinner. The main sponsor largest wave of urban growth in Building Museum in Washington. of the event, The Rockefeller human history. For the first time ever, more than half of our global

9 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

population lives in metropolitan areas. By 2030 almost five billion people will live in urban areas. With each of these developments come enormous challenges to deliver health care services and safe drinking water; to provide reliable, energy-efficient transportation”. He announced that he would lead the US delegation to the Fifth Session of the World Urban Forum in Brazil in March 2010. Ambassador Rice warned of the challenge facing humanity in general over housing. “About one sixth of humanity now lives in slums and the figures are set to rise in the near future and it is going to be a huge challenge addressing this issue,” she said. Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT urged senior officials to make the political case for urbanization. She World Habitat Award winners during the global celebrations in Washington DC, USA. explained that the choice of the Photos © UN-HABITAT 2009 theme reflected the fact that in many parts of the world, urban planning systems had changed little and that in some cases they contributed to the problems rather than helped solve them. “It is clear to us at UN-HABITAT and to our partners in government, municipalities, and at the community level that current approaches to planning must change and that a new role for planning in sustainable urban development has to be found,” she said. Highlights of the occasion included presentation of the Scroll of Honour Awards, the highest tribute of the UN system for achievements by individuals, cities or institutions to improve access to affordable World Habitat Day global celebrations in in the cause of human settlements. housing. Washington DC, USA. Photos © UN-HABITAT They also included presentation of the World Habitat Award by By tradition, World Habitat Day is the Building and Social Housing also used to launch the agency’s of American States, Mr. Jose Foundation and a moving biennial flagship publication, Miguel Insulza, and addressed a statement from America musician, the Global Report on Human reception of the American Planners Jon Bon Jovi whose charitable Settlements 2009. In keeping with Association and the Association of work includes significant donations past years, the report’s theme on Colleges and Schools of Planning. for housing for low-income Planning Sustainable Cities was families. He offered a powerful consistent with the theme of World combination of humour and serious Habitat Day. soul-searching as he walked the While in Washington, Mrs. audience through a narrative of Tibaijuka called on the Secretary how he became involved in efforts General of the Organization

10 The Secretary-General’s message on World Habitat Day 2009

The theme of this year’s observance Better, more equitable urban of World Habitat Day, Planning planning is essential. New ideas our Urban Future, is meant to from smart cities around the world underscore the urgency of meeting are pointing the way toward the needs of city dwellers in a sustainable urbanization. But there rapidly urbanizing world. is far more to do. Urban poor need improved tenure and access to The major urban challenges of the land. All cities need safer and more twenty-first century include the environmentally friendly public rapid growth of many cities and the transport, housing security, clinics decline of others, the expansion of and public services. There is also the informal sector, and the role a need to mobilize financing for of cities in causing or mitigating urban development. climate change. Evidence from around the world suggests that Planning is at the heart of this governments at all levels are largely agenda. But planning will work failing to address these challenges. only where there is good urban and unplanned governance and where the development are among the most urban poor are brought into the visible consequences. Hundreds of decisions that affect their lives. And millions of urban dwellers are also planning will work best only where increasingly vulnerable to rising sea corruption is honestly tackled. levels, coastal flooding and other United Nations bodies such as climate-related hazards. UN-HABITAT can provide vital help with capacity building, research, A troubling trend has emerged and knowledge management and in many cities in developed and exchange. developing countries alike: the growth of up-market suburban At the dawn of this new urban age, areas and gated communities, on we recognize the problems and the one hand, and the simultaneous we know how to tackle them. We increase in overcrowded tenement understand perhaps more clearly zones, ethnic enclaves, slums than ever before that no-one can and informal settlements, on the be excluded, especially the poor. other. Stark contrasts have also On World Habitat Day, let us pledge emerged between technologically to do our part to follow through advanced and well-serviced business on our plans for a better, greener, sectors, and other areas defined by more sustainable future for our declining industry, sweatshops and increasingly urban planet. informal businesses.

11 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

Statement of the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka on the occasion of World Habitat Day 2009

We have chosen the theme, unconstrained in their activities. Planning our Urban Future, for Powerful economic interests World Habitat Day 2009 for a may feel threatened by planning simple but very important reason: recommendations. Politicians may In many parts of our world urban not have an adequate sense of the planning systems have changed public interest or plans may not very little. Indeed, they are often reflect their priorities. Alternatively, contributors to urban problems planners may not have adequate rather than tools for human and training and their advice may be environmental improvement. good or bad, taken or ignored. Plans may be unrealistic, given It is clear to us at UN-HABITAT and their resource requirements. Plans to our partners in government, may not reflect the priorities of municipalities, and at community community groups. On top of all level that current approaches to this, the implementation authority planning must change and that a may be fragmented among new role for planning in sustainable jurisdictions. urban development has to be found. In trying to correct these deficiencies, planning has opened Yet to blame urban planners and itself to public participation and accept urbanisation as a positive their plans for our urban problems preference and to taking a more trend, planning fulfils its proper is like turning back the clock and realistic view of the limits of the role in guiding urban development going back in history to a time possible, while factoring in the when it comes to improving access when no-one could have foreseen resources likely to be available for to services, and economic and social the problems we now face. implementation. opportunities. It is a fact that slums are the worst Yet, in today’s world, despite many Urban planning will therefore have manifestations of urban poverty, success stories that have come to continue to adapt so it is able to deprivation, and exclusion in the about due to planning’s ability to carry out its much-required effective modern world. And it is a fact that reinvent itself, it would appear role in shaping a positive urban today we have the technological that the planning function still falls future. know-how such as satellite-based short in some parts of the world. Geographical Information Systems Slums are multiplying, urban crime – undreamed of until not so long is rampant, development keeps ago – the power, and the money sprawling, transport efficiency to plan effectively for the targets is declining, energy costs are established in the Millennium rising, and health problems are Declaration. increasing, while many citizens Many of the ills of urbanisation are walling themselves off from have been conveniently left at the others. What’s happening here? Has doorstep of urban planners and planning failed and does it need planning. However, there are many to be replaced by a more effective reasons why that job may not result function? in a better living environment for Actually, there is no replacement for all. In many countries planning planning. It is a function that results has not been very powerful and from our uniquely human ability developers, the private sector and to anticipate consequences. As the individual citizens – who do not world grows more and more urban, have the public good uppermost in it is vital that, as governments their considerations – are relatively

12 Mr. Claudio Castro, Un Techo Para Mi Pais (Chile) Mrs. Cornelia Oberlander on behalf of the late For providing over 42,000 homes for the poor in 15 Peter Oberlander (Canada) Latin American countries A founding father of UN-HABITAT for a lifetime of promoting the urban agenda around the world

Scroll Of Honour award winners 2009

Mr. Israel Moreno-Barcelo, Cementos Mexicanos - CEMEX (Mexico) For helping more than one million poor people build their own homes, and more

Neal Peirce (United States of America) For a lifetime of journalism dedicated to reporting cities Mayor Yang Jun of Rizhao Municipal Government for a better urban future. (China) For transforming their city into a green home with new housing and infrastructure

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Mr. Larsanov Mamed, the City of Grozny (Russia) Mayor Abdulaziz Al Husaiyen of Al-Medina Al- For resurrecting their war scarred city and providing Munawarah (Saudi Arabia) new homes for thousands For pioneering a Local Observatory System now used elsewhere in the country and in the Middle East for smart urban planning

Mr. M.K. Lekgoro, the Alexandra Renewal Project Mr. Ilmar Reepalu, the City of Malmö (Sweden) (South Africa) For its innovative, holistic approach to becoming a 21st For helping thousands of poor people move into better century eco-city. homes and boosting health, water and electricity services.

Mrs. Rose Tumusiime, Uganda Women’s Efforts to Jan Peterson, Huairou Commission (United States Save Children - UWESO (Uganda) of America) For providing water, health and sanitation to orphans For championing the rights of grassroots women and and vulnerable children. their movements for better human settlements.

14 Celebrations around the World

UN-HABITAT thanks all who participated in organizing these tree planting, essays from primary celebrations that raised awareness of this day. Below is a summary and high schools on the WHD theme, and a litter collection public of over 110 activities from 48 countries. We believe that each awareness campaign to show young celebration stimulated advocacy to help achieve the Habitat Agenda people the importance of keeping in the communities involved. their cities clean. There was also a special workshop and football AFRICA of Housing, the Minister for Local matches. Government, Ambassadors, the Genesis Arts Creations, a youth Botswana local Mayor, District Commissioner, serving, community based local area Member of Parliament, The Department of Housing under organization in Nakuru that Provincial Commissioner and other the Ministry of Lands and Housing addresses socio-economic health dignitaries. Leading up to World commemorated World Habitat Day and governance issues in the Habitat Day, activities held include a in Chobe District. community through the use of art tree planting exercise, mini league and theatre in a participatory and football matches at primary schools Cameroon interactive model, marked World and a clean up campaign. The Concerned Minds for Habitation Habitat Day with discussion forums Securities celebrated the World The Kariobangi South Welfare and activities in the low income Habitat Day with several activities and Slums Housing Association settlements of the town. including a radio quiz with questions (KASWESHA Housing Cooperative The Samaritan People Vision, a on the year’s theme, a football Society) organized football matches, non-governmental organization match between the youths in tree planting, a public forum, based in Nairobi East District held Yaounde neighbourhoods, and entertainment, and a graduation a three-day training program for a week of lectures to students of ceremony for Youth studying ICT at community based organizations, Government Bilingual High School KASWESHA Community Resource self help groups, women groups, Etoug-Ebe on Shelter is my right; Centre Our neighbourhood; Urbanization and other community leaders and and citizenship; and Planning our Rachuonyo Skills Development representatives on strategic planning Urban Future. initiative in collaboration with for their respective organizations. Oyugis town council organised Peponi House school pupils in awareness raising activities in Oyugis Ghana Nairobi used the UN-HABITAT Kids’ town and its environs, among them Action for Community Development Survey to generate discussion on marked World Habitat Day with a forum to build the capacity of the youth on Climate Change, an event that brought together youth groups from and around Tamale.

Kenya The national celebrations were organized over four days by the Ministry of Housing of the Government of Kenya together with partners from the municipal council of Mombasa, the Architectural Association of Kenya, Ministry of Lands, Kenya National Housing Cooperative Union, Rent Restriction Tribunal and UN-HABITAT. Guests included the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister and Assistant Minister World Habitat Day celebrations in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo © UN-HABITAT 15 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

the state of their city and how to improve it. They put on World Habitat Day t-shirts for the whole day to raise awareness of the theme on planning better cities.

Malawi The national celebrations in Malawi were held in the town of Liwonde where the chief guest was the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. Other events were a press conference, live radio debate, schools design competition and articles on the theme of WHD featuring in national newspapers. At the event the Minister launched the Malawi Housing Profile Study Report an analysis of the delivery of World Habitat Day celebrations in Malawi. Photo © UN-HABITAT housing in Malawi, the bottlenecks experienced and possible solutions. need to clean and preserve the Corporation at Kariakoo. The The report was supported financially environment. Pupils also took part in Minister inspected improvements and technically by UN-HABITAT. the World Habitat Day Kids’ Survey. by the Community Infrastructure The Concerned Youth Organisation Upgrading Programme in Manzese based in Blantyre, Malawi held a Rwanda and handed over certificates of live radio call-in programme that The commemoration in Rwanda occupancy and title deeds to house brought experts and Government took place in the city of Ruhengeri owners. officials from the City Assembly, in Musanze district. The Minister of Police Services, the Housing Infrastructure, Linda Bihire graced Togo Corporation together to discuss the occasion. Activities began with a The main celebration of World the theme Planning our urban presentation of the progress report Habitat Day was held in Dapaong future with a special focus on from the urban studies of the Town and involved administrative Blantyre’s community safety, security of Ruhengeri and Reorganization authorities and politicians, awareness, crime management, of the Tetagoshe district, written professionals, civil society and domestic violence and child abuse. by local research departments. The communication specialists. The Mayor of Musanze District invited main activities included campaigns Nigeria the population of the town of to promote the importance The Rural People Encouragers Ruhengeri to take part in the WHD of respecting, maintaining Network held a retirees’ camp and activities by giving names to the and safeguarding the urban launched a children’s forum known streets and the various stages of environment; conferences and as the Nigerian Child Forum for the process of reorganization of the debates on the topic of the day, a children to air their views on how to Tetagoshe district. construction materials exhibition; end poverty. The event was marked concert of songs and a fashion show at the Ula-Ehuda Community, the Tanzania and sporting events, including a headquarters of Akoh clan, Ahoada World Habitat Day was celebrated cross-country race and football. East Rivers State. under the leadership of the Ministry Organization S.A.I.D - TOGO, an of Lands, Housing and Human association of young volunteers that The Global Grassroot Youth Forum Settlements Development. The held a sensitization programme offers training to vulnerable people Minister’s address which outlined to improve their socio-economic to create awareness on the life of government programmes and urban and rural settlers and bring and cultural living conditions policies on human settlements organized a football festival which the work of the UN-HABITAT closer issues was televised throughout to the people of the South-South brought together teams from the the country. Celebrations held at five districts of Lome and aired a Region (Niger-Delta) and the Cross the Court Yard Hotel Conference River State. television broadcast of the message Hall, Dar es Salaam, were attended of UN-HABITAT Executive Director. Toris School, in Okearo Agbado by the UN Resident Coordinator The message on the English Ogun state in Nigeria, celebrated in Tanzania, Dr. Alberic Kacou and Magazine of the National Television World Habitat Day with a walk UN-HABITAT staff. There was an TVT launched a debate on this year’s around the community and cleaning exhibition followed by the official topic and introduced the concept of of designated roads and drainages opening of an 11-storey building the WHD to the citizens of Togo. to educate the community on the owned by the National Housing

16 Tunisia United Arab Emirates of themselves, their friends or A workshop was held on Monday Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing colleagues dressed in these colours. 5 October in Tunis and attended Establishment celebrated World by a number of leading urban Habitat Day in a ceremony held at Cambodia architects, professionals, specialists Mushrif Park, Dubai. The ceremony Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh and housing technicians. The event featured workshops focusing called upon their friends to was opened by Mr. Slaheddine on agricultural sustainability, symbolically celebrate WHD by Maalouche, the Minister of comprehensive infrastructure wearing green and blue on 5 Equipment, Housing and Land planning and community-building October and submit photographs Planning. from a social-behaviour perspective. of themselves, their friends or colleagues dressed in these colours. Uganda Tororo Municipal Council, about ASIA AND THE PACIFIC India 300km east of Kampala held The main celebration saw the launch celebrations where the chief guest Australia of the Habitat Report in New Delhi was the Vice President of the The Emergency Architects Australia by the Union Minister of Housing Republic of Uganda, Prof. Gilbert marked World Habitat Day at the and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ms. Bukenya. Events included the laying Sydney Architecture Festival. The Kumari Selja. Copies of the report of a foundation stone for the UN- architects used the day to build were presented to the present HABITAT funded slum upgrading awareness of WHD to promote the dignitaries. Some 400 people project in Tororo municipal council; needs of the urban poor throughout attended the function. launch of the Slum Upgrading the world. Teams of volunteers built Strategy for Uganda; and models of housing types showing The Centre for Environmental exhibitions by the central and local people how these were used in Management conducted a governments, private sector, NGOs, the Solomon Islands relief missions one day workshop focusing on financial institutions. to rebuild schools and housing Urban Settlement and Waste destroyed by a recent earthquake. Management. They also organised The East African Sustainability The association’s presentation in painting competition for school and Watch (SusWatch) Network Conversation Corner highlighted the engineering college students which commissioned a rapid assessment need for people to be involved in drew some 1,000 participants. study in August 2009 in Busia, finding solutions to the problems of The Institution of Engineers, Homa Bay and Musoma. This study, shelter. carried out to highlight the status West Bengal State Centre, under the initiative of the Architectural of the housing situation in fast Bangladesh growing and secondary towns in Engineering Division, organized Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh the Lake Victoria basin, aimed at a conference in Kolkata. Prof. called upon their friends to reawakening political and other Saugata Roy, the Minister of State, symbolically celebrate WHD by stakeholders’ interest to take action Department of Urban Development, wearing green and blue on 5 to address the housing gap as an Government of India launched the October and submit photographs obligation. Programme. The Youth Initiative for Aids Prevention Uganda hosted Music Dance and Drama activities for communities and an inter schools debate on this year’s theme. Football and netball matches also took place in the first week of October with the final played on October 6.

ARAB STATES

Kuwait The Ministry of Public Works and State for Municipality Affairs and UN-HABITAT Kuwait Office organized a two-day workshop to discuss future planning trends and sustainable cities. A number of experts participated. World Habitat Day celebrations in India. Photo © UN-HABITAT

17 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

Habitat for Humanity India The Phagwara Environment (magnitude 7.3 on the Richter celebrated World Habitat Day Association in Punjab organized scale) that struck the area 200 at Bangalore with over 300 a number of events including a km southeast of Jakarta in early invitees, comprising of corporate State function held at Blood Bank September. patrons, volunteers, government Building, Phagwara. representatives and community. The Provincial Government of They also launched Women Build Oxfam India organised a number Yogyakarta held celebrations in the project, to mobilize resources and of events in various cities including months of October and November. link women donors with women a public opinion and signature The events included an award savers. campaign in Agra and Lucknow, ceremony, TV talk show, exhibitions, poster exhibition, public awareness press conferences, regional seminar The department of Architecture, and signature campaign in and workshop. Integral University in Lucknow Allahabad, a public awareness organized an exhibition by students rally in Bhopal and a human chain Iran on issues related to urban planning formation in Indore. UN-HABITAT organised a “Youth and a presentation of technical Competition on Architecture, papers by experts in the field In Tamil Nadu, a one-day workshop received enthusiastic participation of Settlement and Urban Identity in the of urban planning and faculty Persian Gulf Region” as a side event members of different departments. students and faculty members from various Architecture, Planning and of the International Conference on Bhagidari Jan Sahyog Samiti, an Interior Design Institutions in and Architecture, Settlement and Urban NGO in New Delhi, organized around Chennai. Identity in the region. The exhibition celebrations at the Auditorium, featured a display of the artistic India International Centre, in New Urban Professionals of Orissa, India ability of the youth in the fields of Delhi. Justice M.C.Garg, a judge of celebrated World Habitat Day at painting and photography focussing the Delhi High Court was the chief Bhubaneswar on 8 October 2009 on Identity and City, Architecture guest. A seminar was also organized with a workshop. and Settlement, Climate and Human and an award presented for Best Kind. Indonesia Practice in the City, among other The Municipality of Tehran held a events. Celebrations were held in conference and festival for children. Palembang, South Sumatera. Osmania Medical College Doctors’ The Conference and Specialized Outdoor activities included a fun Panels focusing on Planning Forum, a body of doctors of the bike to promote cycling within the institute concerned with Health Our Urban Future was attended city and a People’s Festival featuring by university professors, Tehran and Development, organized a a traditional boat festival along the roundtable in Hyderabad. Municipality Executive Directors, Musi River. environment officials from all 22 The Local Governance Network in Habitat for Humanity Indonesia districts of Tehran, directors and Bhubaneswar organized a round marked WHD with the launch of deputies of civic architecture and table with a focus on Climate the “West Java Disaster Response” urbanization departments, NGO Change, Good Governance, rebuilding project. The project is activists in environment affairs, Heritage and Culture, and Urban Habitat’s response to the earthquake university students and others Mobility. interested in environment and sustainable development issues.

Japan UN-HABITAT’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Government of Japan, supported by Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, UN-HABITAT Fukuoka Office Cooperating Committee, Fukuoka International Exchange Foundation, Fukuoka International Association, Fukuoka Asia Urban Research Center, and the UN Association of Japan Fukuoka Head Office, organized World Habitat Day 2009 Fukuoka International Symposium Planning Our Urban Future - Bridging the Urban Divide. “My City, My Hope”, a painting by Aftonia Nabila entered into the World Habitat Day 2009 The symposium’s aim was to raise children’s painting competition held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

18 awareness of the need to improve urban planning.

Malaysia The Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia organised several programmes including a photography competition, a house building project and an asset management workshop for local authorities.

“Right of way” by Rosangela Tenorio. Habitat for Humanity and Ministry officials undertook repairs on homes over six weeks in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Kuala Terengganu from September to October.

Mongolia Habitat for Humanity Mongolia held a special house dedication ceremony to celebrate the approximately 200 Habitat homes built over the past summer.

New Zealand The University of Auckland organised a series of activities “Green Street” by Anna_Dupleix including a photography competition, a debate at Fale Pasifika on Sustainability puts a handbrake on growth, an interactive exhibition on the theme of World Habitat Day at the George Fraser Gallery, a clothing and food drive for the homeless in Auckland at the Main Student Quad, an exhibition of shortlisted works from the Open Architecture Challenge, an exhibition of projects by students in the Master of Architecture program at the NICAI Student Centre and the launch of the Sustainability Careers Role Models project at Powhiri on the Waipapa Marae.

“Right of way” by Rosangela Tenorio. Pakistan The Institute of Planners Pakistan, “Yesterday’s Trees” by Colin Finch Department of City and Regional Planning, University of Engineering and Technology and Sheher Saaz (Pvt.) Ltd. jointly organised a forum in Lahore.

Philippines Vice President Noli De Castro, who is also the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, led the main celebration of the World Habitat Day in The Philippines with key note World Habitat Day photo competition held at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. 19 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

speeches at two events showcasing Paragon, a popular up-market Award for Best Practices in sustainable urban development and shopping mall in Bangkok, was on Improving the Living Environment human settlements. display from 1 to 4 October. and for the UN-HABITAT Best Practices database. As in past years, the Home Development Mutual Fund (more Belgium popularly known as Pag-IBIG Fund) EUROPE On World Habitat Day 2009, Philippines, through its North Luzon Armenia Group headed by Atty. Vilma Q. UN-HABITAT became the first UN The activities in Armenia included Flores, disseminated information and agency to fly its flag at the European rebuilding of houses to support other materials to raise awareness Parliament in Brussels with a lively low income families by Habitat for about urban settlements on the debate on urban matters and a Humanity Armenia and a televised World Habitat Day. three-day exhibition carrying the broadcast on National TV of Habitat message that governments have to Celebrations were also held in for Humanity Armenia foundation pay ever closer attention to rapid Balanga, a town in the province of activities in Armenia. Other urbanisation in Europe and around Bataan. activities included a joint visit by the world. Ms. Inga Björk-Klevby, the representatives of the Ministry Assistant Secretary-General of Sri Lanka of Urban Development and local the United Nations and Deputy Aware of the urgent need for authorities to communities, the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT housing in the country, Habitat opening of the “Lori-Prod-Expo” said the occasion served to open for Humanity Sri Lanka organized trade-exhibition of construction the door to the newly elected a media launch of a research and design materials made from European Parliament for UN- report called Defining indicators to the local raw materials in Vanadzor HABITAT and broaden knowledge measure adequate housing in Sri city, and a round table discussion on about urban issues in Europe and Lanka 2009 as well as a Habitat Planning Our Urban Future, held at the world at large. It also served house build. the Ministry of Urban Development to help bring the agency into a focusing on the development of closer working relationship with the The Women’s Bank, a women-led housing. European Union’s executive body, cooperative savings and credit the European Commission. She cited programme for low-income Austria the strong commitment of Ms. Eva communities, commemorated The City of Vienna and its Best Joly, MEP, Chair of the Development World Habitat Day and their Practices Centre, in collaboration Committee of the European achievements towards improving with UN-HABITAT and the Parliament, and MEP Jan Olbrycht, the lives of the poor, especially in metropolis held an event on 5th spoke at length about European informal settlements. This year, the of October. An exhibition was also urban policy. The European Union, song, dance and colourful festivities held in September and October the world’s biggest trading bloc, were even more special for several under the title: In Zukunft Stadt (In established at the European hundred residents who benefited the future, the city). Best Practices Parliament a body called the URBAN from collaborative projects of were presented and promotion of a Intergroup (previously known as Women’s Bank and UN-HABITAT in call by UN-HABITAT to submit Best URBAN-Housing) to ensure that 2009. Practices for the Dubai International urban problems are incorporated in

Thailand The main World Habitat Day celebrations in Thailand were held at the UN Conference Centre (UNCC), where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, delivered the keynote address. Commemorations for World Habitat Day culminated in a regional workshop on pro-poor housing finance jointly organized by the Government Housing Bank and ESCAP on 15 October. Through a photo exhibition by Habitat photojournalists, Habitat for Humanity Thailand painted a picture of how lives of families Lecture of cities of the future in the museum, held during the World Habitat Day celebration in are transformed through owning Moscow, Russia. a home. The exhibition at Siam

20 European Parliamentary decisions. With over 60 MEPs working in 22 Parliamentary Committees and representing all European political groups, the URBAN Intergroup was formally approved for the 2009-2014 Parliamentary term. It is now working in close liaison with UN-HABITAT. Ms. Björk-Klevby, and Mr. Jean Bakole, Director of UN- HABITAT’s Brussels office also met with Mr. Luis Riera Figueras, Director of Policy Development and Thematic Issues in the EU’s Development Directorate, Mr. Luc Van den Brande, President of the Committee of the Regions, Mr. Jean-Michel Baer, Director of Science, Economy and Society in the Research Directorate. In the talks with Mr. Figueras, they agreed to organize a joint meeting of the European more closely with European policy. World Habitat Day celebration at the Commission, and UN-HABITAT in A further meeting was also held European parliament, Brussels Belgium. Photo © UN-HABITAT 2010 with non-EU State Norway as during the World Habitat Day an observer. They also agreed to set celebrations with Mr. M. Bontemps, up a new strategic partnership. With Deputy Director-General, Belgian Croatia Mr. Van den Brande they signed Development Cooperation. A round table Dialogue on the a memorandum to set up pilot urban development - with citizens Seminars were held on Addressing projects in developing countries. The for citizens, was held in the capital the challenges of rapid urbanisation cooperation will focus on a Mayor’s of Croatia, Zagreb to celebrate by improving urban planning and Pact, a decentralised development World Habitat Day. Special attention policy and Sustainable cities and “bourse”, and UN-HABITAT tools to was given to the state of affairs in climate change: better planning for assist the Committee of the Regions. city parks and alternative solutions a livable urban future . The Committee will circulate the offered for better social, health, agency’s capacity building guidelines A press conference was held to educational, cultural, agricultural to local authorities in Europe. In launch the UN-HABITAT’s Global and ecological urban life in the her talks with Mr. Baer, they agreed Report on Human Settlements years ahead. The round table was a to improve research cooperation –Planning Sustainable Cities culmination of activities organized and to align the Habitat Agenda by the national youth council in

21 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

Croatia and Zagreb City Council, supported by UN Global Compact members from Croatia.

Germany The Research Institute and the Department of Geography at the University of Leipzig held an exhibition of information and charts for a day to create awareness for the students and fellow citizens of Leipzig about the World Habitat Day theme.

Italy Sapienza Universita’ di Roma, in its capacity as a “Millennium University” held a public celebration on October 5 and a slum World Habitat Day celebrations in Argentina. target session of its Millennium Development Goals course on the theme of the interconnection together representatives of the LATIN AMERICA AND THE Russian cities of Kazan, Yaroslavl between the Millennium Declaration slum target, slum regularization and and Togliatti. In addition, the upgrading, and participatory urban project office and the world-famous Argentina planning. Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts partnered to hold a drawing contest Network Habitat Argentina organized an event at José Israel for children titled “Cities of the Future”. The contest was preceded León Suárez City on October 5. The Association for Environmental by lectures for children in various Participants included Chamber Justice in Israel (AEIJ) celebrated museum halls with a focus on works of Deputies and Chamber of World Habitat Day with a special of art devoted to cities and their Senators, social organizations, session in the Israeli Parliament (The future. non-governmental organizations, Knesset) on the issues of dangerous cooperatives, public organizations, deterioration of the environmental universities and centers of research, Ukraine infrastructures in the urban sites international organizations in of the Arab sector of Israel. The An international conference was Argentina and social movements. occasion saw the declaration of held in Kiev on October 5 to the establishment of the Strategic celebrate World Habitat Day. For the A seminar was held in Buenos Aires Council for Environmental Risks and first time in Ukraine, World Habitat at which a representative of the July Population, an initiative of AEJI, Day was marked by the State 13th Human Settlements Movement an NGO that seeks to cooperate Committee of Ukraine for planning addressed the importance of social with government authorities in and architecture, together with the and sustainable human settlements, establishing sustainable solutions for Municipal Management Center urban reform and the right to the and with vulnerable groups. (Habitat). city.

Brazil Romania United Kingdom Over 250 local and international The International Art and The UN-HABITAT office in Rio de volunteers gathered in Romania Architecture Research Association Janeiro held a seminar entitled, The on October 5 for a weeklong build (IAARA) hosted a two day meeting Right to the City in the municipalities to complete 10 homes in Beius, under the themes Climate and of Conleste (Consortium of the East Bihor county. The Big Build, which Comfort, Architecture and of Rio de Janeiro). Representatives started on October 5, marked the Settlement, and Identity and City of the Federal, State and Local observance throughout the week to discuss issues relating to energy Government, the UN, academics, and accommodated various groups use in cities. This multi-dimension civil society and NGOs held a lively of volunteers who worked on the event was organized and hosted by discussion. the University of Westminster. The construction of homes for orphans. The Organization for Environmental Human Habitation event focused Preservation organized the First on architecture, settlement and RUSSIA Festival of Children’s Culture in urban identity of the Persian Gulf Brazil to commemorate World The UN-HABITAT Moscow project Region, an area that covers some of Habitat Day. The aim of this festival office hosted a seminar on urban the most ancient civilizations in the was to give children the means to observatories which brought world.

22 develop their capacity and skills to Ecuador the university on social housing in identify, defend and communicate Many activities were held in Ecuador. the metropolitan area of Caracas. their identity and culture in their These included one-day forum which The World Habitat Day conference relationships with other children – gathered municipal technicians, was presided over by Teolinda between rural and urban regions, researchers, UN staff, members of Bolivar, a teacher who won the 2003 states and countries – and with the academia, and students. The Scroll of Honor Award. adults. The festival took place from 8 highlight was the presentation of to 10 October, 2009, in the Colegio the Ecuadorian winner of a grant Estadual José Valente e Ginásio from the UN-HABITAT Youth fund. NORTH AMERICA Domingos Xavier Nunes. On the eve of World Habitat Day, school pupils put on a special play Canada Bolivia for parents and teachers. There was Home Ownership Alternatives Non- The Faculty of Architecture of also an exhibition of drawings and Profit Corporation (HOA) hosted an the Universidad Mayor de San paintings in Santo Domingo square, event in Toronto in recognition of Andres, La Paz Bolivia organized located in downtown of Quito. World Habitat Day and in celebration a photography contest, related to of their selection as a finalist for the topic of the World Habitat Day. Mexico the 2009 World Habitat Award. There was an exposition of the An open forum for public discussion HOA is dedicated to making home pictures on October 4. The objective and analysis took place from ownership possible for low and of the contest was to represent October 5-7 at the Laboratorio moderate income families. the problems of social housing de Arte Variedades (LARVA) in The University of British Columbia within environmental, cultural and Guadalajara. It sought to facilitate hosted a Campus event on Monday, architectural city-planning contexts. working relations between public October 5. It showcased the actors, and government, and University’s historical and current Chile to define emerging solutions to contributions to the Human In Santiago, Habitat for Humanity support the city’s evolution. The Settlements issue, including the work gathered members from different event focused on systems of of the late Dr. Peter Oberlander, organisations to celebrate World action, development, community the Habitat Exchange portal at the Habitat Day. The UN-HABITAT participation, economy, and planning university. Local humanitarian groups 2009 Global Report on Human in Guadalajara Metropolitan Region, were invited to provide information Settlements was launched through and explored the alliances and and share their opportunities and a special feature in Chile’s national commitments necessary to fulfil the experiences. newspaper, interviews on TV and needs of city citizens. radio and a press release. Habitat for Humanity Canada Venezuela and Genworth Financial Canada Colombia The Faculty of Architecture and launched the third annual Meaning The National Habitat Committee Urbanism of the Central University of Home Contest – a national held a seminar in Bogotá to mark of Venezuela, in Caracas, held a contest that challenges pupils World Habitat Day and start plans conference to assess the lessons across the country to express how for the World Urban Campaign. learned from an April workshop at important the home is in shaping The following day a conference their lives and the lives of others. organized by the Universidad La Salle en Bogotá was held on the 2009 theme, Planning our urban future. The National Congress of the Colombian Society of Architects held a similar conference.

Dominican Republic Habitat for Humanity and Centro Leon in the Dominican Republic held a digital photo exposition and discussion forums in the city of Santiago, on October 6. The purpose of this event was to reflect about the grave housing problem in the country and stimulate a greater understanding of collective responsibility for the future of urban areas. World Habitat Day celebrations in Canada.

23 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

Mayor David Miller and Councillor Foundation, CHF International and Leadership Center convened Giorgio Mammoliti (Ward 7 York the Comparative Urban Studies its Fourth Session of the Global West), Chair of the Affordable Project at the Woodrow Wilson Corporate Citizenship Conference, Housing Committee signed the City Center, Washington DC launched a Development Opportunities in of Toronto’s new Housing Charter speaker series on The Road to Rio Emerging Markets. The two-day to mark the United Nations’ World (venue of next World Urban Forum) event featured a series of keynote Habitat Day. to bring together representatives addresses and working panels from governments, multi-lateral designed to guide the development The Canadian Urban Institute, institutions, NGOs and other civil efforts of US corporations working the country’s applied urban policy society organizations, academic in emerging markets. institute based in Toronto, marked institutions, and the private sector World Habitat Day 2009 by holding to focus on the pressing urban Paul Farmer, President of the a special roundtable breakfast issues that face the world today. American Planners Association seminar on the theme of Rivers in The speaker series was intended to (APA) and Anna Tibaijuka, the City: Perspectives from Cuba and pave the way for productive policy Executive Director of UN-HABITAT around the World. and good practice discussions and held a Webcast to launch UN- create greater public awareness of HABITAT’s Global Report on Human United States the challenges and opportunities Settlements: Planning Sustainable presented by global urbanization. Cities. Together with Chase Rynd, Alabama CEO of the National Building The U.S. Department of Housing The Urban Land Institute in Museum, they also presided and Urban Development and Washington DC held a discussion over a reception at the National Birmingham Habitat for Humanity on Sustainable Suburbs: Developer’s Building Museum for the APA celebrated the successes of Habitat Perspectives on Transportation and its affiliate, the Association partners around the world. The and Compact Growth. Speakers of Collegiate Schools of Planning featured speaker for this event was and panellists included Ellen which was attended by over 500 the Director of Habitat Macedonia. Dunham-Jones, Georgia Institute participants. of Technology; Marilee Utter, California Citiventure Associates, Mark The Brookings’ Metropolitan Policy Thomas Calabro from TV’s Melrose Schneider and Fourth River Program in collaboration with the Place and Trevor Donovan from Development. Supported by the Rockefeller Foundation hosted an 90210 came to the Habitat for Rockefeller Foundation and ULI event and panel discussion focused Humanity San Fernando/Santa Trustee Jim Curtis as part of the on Creating sustainable global cities. Clarita Valleys build site in Pacoima ULI National Transportation Policy The District of Columbia Office of on October 6 to celebrate World Dialogue, the forum explored how Habitat for Humanity organized a Habitat Day. The stars engaged to leverage transportation and volunteer build-day on DC Habitat’s in good competitive fun as they land use investments to promote 53 home developments in Northeast challenged their fans to support the sustainable growth in the suburbs. Washington. American Dream 5K Walk which Over 110 people drawn from the was held in Pacoima on October 10. private and public sectors, including The United Nations Federal Credit the federal government, participated Union held a Seminar on Making Washington D.C. in the event. Cities Productive and Equitable Besides the main celebration, there through Financial Literacy at the were other events in Washington. The National Building Museum Organization of American States together with Cities Alliance, USAID offices. Key speakers included Habitat for Humanity advocates and the World Bank organised an Carlos Calderon, CEO of the created a photo mosaic that was exhibition at the National Building Organization of American States, sent to the White House to deliver Museum. This multimedia exhibit Michael Connery, President and a message to Congress to make featured residents’ experiences in CEO of the Union, Sylvia Martinez, housing a priority and to pass slums around the world: Nairobi, Senior Policy Advisor at the legislation that would prioritize Caracas, Mumbai, and Jakarta. Federal Housing Finance Agency, adequate and affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity organized Louisa M. Quittman, Director of The International Housing Coalition an event Whose American Dream: Community Programs at the US together with Aspen Institute and Moving Towards a Balanced Treasury Department, Joseph Filipski, Habitat for Humanity hosted a Housing Policy at the National Press Foreclosure Prevention Specialist discussion on Urbanization, Slums Club involving 100 policy makers, of NeighborWorks America and and US Foreign Assistance. This housing practitioners and academics David Cassserly, Assistant Director discussion focussed on challenges to discuss US housing policy in the of JumpStart Coalition for Personal faced by developing countries with wake of one of the nation’s most Financial Literacy. respect to urban poverty and rapid severe economic recessions. An event on Grassroots Women growth of slums. Under the leadership of Steve and Affordable Housing, Creating In collaboration with the Rockefeller Jordon, the Business Civic Sustainable Communities: From

24 Local to Global Perspectives was held at the Washington Legal Clinic for Homelessness. The Hauirou Commission, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, and People’s Movement for Human Rights Learning organized two roundtable discussions on affordable housing. A policy seminar on Urbanization, Slums and US Foreign Assistance was held at the Institute for International Economics. Peter Kimm, Chairman of the International Housing Coalition welcomed around 150 policy makers, students, and development practitioners. The Cities Alliance hosted the UN- HABITAT Working Group on Urban Children and Youth. Participants reviewed the status of urban youth research and laid the structure and groundwork for the launch of a collaborative network. Voice of America interviewed Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT on its live, African Affairs television program. She answered questions about urban development, the future of cities in Africa and the role of the United Nations. The President of Global Parliamentarians on Habitat, Hon. Peter Goetz held a special World Habitat Day meeting of the group at the German Embassy. UN-HABITAT was represented by Ms. Axumite Gebre Egziabher and Mr. Markandey Rai.

World Habitat Day celebrations in Washington, D.C. Florida Photos © UN-HABITAT/Nathan Kihara Thuy Ma, the founder of Tweeprints in Tampa, Florida organized a local awareness-raising event for the World Habitat Day 2009. Ms. Ma, an architect with a passion for greeting cards design, invited about 30 artists, designers, architects from different parts of the country to design a Thank You card. Profits made from the sale of these cards were to be donated to Habitat for Humanity. The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development and Flagler Habitat for Humanity organised a Media Day which brought the local media together to cover the

25 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

World Habitat Day celebrations in Washington, D.C. Photo © UN-HABITAT events of the day as well as having Hawaii International and New World them volunteer for the day. Media The School of Architecture, Homes, the U.S. Department of representatives built side by side University of Hawaii at Manoa Transportation, the Environmental with partner families and volunteers hosted a public forum at the Protection Agency, the City of to give them firsthand knowledge school’s auditorium. This public Atlanta and other local stake holders of the work that homeowners and forum explored how Hawaii’s unique took part in the community volunteers put into island values can redefine a new event as part of the World these houses. Invitees included the planning framework. The panel Habitat Week celebrations. local Brighthouse Networks station, featured leaders in sustainability, Daytona Beach News Journal, WNZF, Hawaiian culture, community Volunteers from the U. S. the Beach Radio Stations and Brady activism, globalization, and resource Department of Housing and Urban Publishing. development. Development, the City of Atlanta, and Habitat for Humanity Atlanta The U.S. Department of Housing took part in a Home Build event Georgia and Urban Development and as part of the World Habitat Week The U.S. Department of Housing Okaloosa County Habitat in celebrations. The event took place and Urban Development and observance of World Habitat Day at the Atlanta Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity International took part in an all Women Build to Warehouse. During the event, organised an Affordable Housing increase awareness and encourage volunteers built walls to anchor and Sustainable Community volunteerism. A local musician, general construction related work Development panel discussion on Cheryl Jones of Jones &Company, areas and were trained on the basic the Georgia Technology University wrote a song specific to the building skills associated with building a campus. The purpose of the panel of Habitat homes and in honor home. discussion was to address the of the work that is completed by progress of affordable housing Habitat. A video production was Pennsylvania and sustainable community made of nearly 80 local ladies to A group, Urban Design Associates, development. produce the one of a kind song based in Pittsburgh provided sleeping bags to the homeless and along with Jones & Company band. Representatives from the U.S. showed the Executive Director’s Construction started in mid October Department of Housing and Urban speech on video. and is expected to continue for Development, Habitat for Humanity approximately six months. 26 Mississippi and Urban Development, Design Center, CDC Council, City The U.S Department of Housing and Mechanicsville Community of Memphis, Shelby County, Urban Urban Development and Habitat for Association, Knoxville’s Community Land Institute, American Institute Humanity/Metro Jackson celebrated Development Corporation, the City of Architects and other architects, World Habitat Day by staging the of Knoxville, Knox County, Knoxville planners and stakeholders involved demolition of a blighted property Habitat for Humanity, and the Knox in the Affordable, Green and at 1516 Wood Street in Jackson. County School System celebrated Sustainable Urban Development Speakers at this event included improvements to the quality of initiative. Models of Habitat’s green Habitat for Humanity/Metro Jackson life enjoyed by residents of the buildings were built and the Habitat- Executive Director Cindy Griffin, revitalized Mechanicsville. Speakers produced slideshow presented. Mayor Harvey Johnson, Senator included Knoxville’s Community Representatives from HUD and other Hillman Frazier, Southeast Regional Development Corporation’s CEO supporting organizations made brief Office HUD Deputy Regional Alvin Nance, Knoxville Mayor Bill comments. Local folksinger Valerie Director Patricia Hoban-Moore, Haslam, Knox County Mayor Mike June performed. and Brad Davis with the Office of Ragsdale, Knox County Schools Senator Thad Cochran. Superintendent James P. McIntyre, The Department of Housing and Knoxville Habitat for Humanity Urban Development and the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity North Carolina CEO Kelle Shultz, HUD Field Office Affiliate organised a tour of 12 The U.S. Department of Housing Director Mark Brezina, and residents Habitat Homes in Timberwood and Urban Development and of the revitalized Mechanicsville. Subdivision and Timberwood Park. Habitat for Humanity of High Point, The Department of Housing and The event was attended by partners Archdale, and Trinity addressed Urban Development and partners who assisted in developing the the need for affordable housing in participated in a fundraising project including the Metropolitan the local community by holding a reception at the offices of Askew Development and Housing Agency, kick-off ceremony for the building Nixon Ferguson, a Memphis Metro Government of Nashville/ of a new home for a local family. architecture firm in Tennessee. Davidson County, Greater Nashville Employees from HUD were on site Partners include Memphis Habitat Association of Realtors, Pinnacle volunteering on this day during for Humanity, West Tennessee Financial Partners, and the Federal which the walls for a new house Chapter of American Planning Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. were raised. This house was the Association, and Mortgage Chris McCarthy, Habitat Nashville sixth out of 11 houses in the Bankers Association and all local CEO, spoke. Washington Terrace area to be branches of HUD national partners. completed, Habitat’s 71st home in Secondary partners include Baron the High Point Community. McCormack Regan, Coalition for The U.S. Department of Housing Livable Communities, Memphis

Habitat Scroll of Honour and World Habitat Award winners during the World Habitat Day celebrations in Washington, D.C. Photo © UN-HABITAT

27 World Habitat Day 2010 Better City, Better Life

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME P.O. Box 30030, GPO, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya Tel.: +254 (20) 762 3120 Fax: +254 (20) 762 4266 E-mail: [email protected] www.unhabitat.org/whd

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