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World Cities Day highlights critical role of urbanization
31.10.2014 08:02 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
There is a need to address what has been described as the «deep challenges» of urbanization, UN Radio says referring to the message of the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Joan Clos, on World Cities Day (celebrated for the first time on 31 October).
Mr. Clos says the day was created to celebrate the positive impact that well-managed urbanisation can have on economic, social and environment development.
UN-Habitat estimates that more than two thirds of the worlds population- nearly 5 billion- people will be living in cities by 2030.
Mr. Clos says there is a need to proactively shape urban areas to avoid their negative trends.
«Theres a huge need to address the deep challenges of urbanization. Of course, urbanization is a very good opportunity because it accelerates economic growth but also has challenges related to climate change, to inequality, to congestion, etc.» Mr. Clos admits.
Besides, the Head of UN-Habitat also admits that urban transformation is inevitable, and will continue, as he describes it, «for better or worse».
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