Background:

Most cities in the Global South have experienced rapid population and urbanization growth which have transformed urban spaces. It is projected that Africa and Asia will concentrate most of the world’s urban population in the next four decades. However, urban planning for more resilient and sustainable cities has so far failed to materialise. Urban sprawls have taken over green spaces and water bodies have been destroyed. Large proportions of cities consist of informal settlements where residents live in poor housing conditions with limited access to infrastructure, health, education and income opportunities. Urban planning and the benefits of city living are currently being enjoyed by a privileged few. Climate change will exacerbate these inequalities as poor and marginalised groups have less capacity to adapt to changes in our climate system. The panel discussion will focus on strategies that integrate environmental responses to climate change with social and economic dimensions, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to urban sustainability.

Speakers:

Ya Ping Wang – Centre for Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities and Neighbourhoods (UK)

Gareth Morgan – Director of Resilience, City of Cape Town, Government of South Africa

Kunal Kumar – Joint Secretary and Mission Director Smart Cities Mission, Government of India

Rev. Fr. Norman Jesus – Administrator of Jaime Cardinal Sin Village Urban Housing Project (Philippines)

Shilpi Roy – Centre for Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities and Neighbourhoods and Khulna University (Bangladesh)

Sheela Patel – Director of the Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres (India)  

Chair:

Remy Sietchiping – Chief Policy, Legislation and Governance Section at UN-Habitat (Kenya)

Register here.