Human Settlements: It's More Than Homes
Day / Time Tuesday, June 20th / 13:30 - 15:30
Event Description
This event will present the review and outcome of projects from the field and ongoing research, which has contributed to improved living conditions in informal settlements, including slums and squatter communities of disadvantaged citizens and marginalized groups. The crosscutting issues generated in all aspects of human settlements have motivated this presentation by representatives from youth, practitioners from the private sector, and seniors. This intergenerational overview will highlight how the provision of affordable housing and basic infrastructure leads to increased amenities, better health conditions and improved livelihoods for all members of the recipient communities. These efforts reflect the implementation prospects for the Habitat Agenda, Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the Millennium Development Goals.
Session Language
English
Speakers
Maria Rosario
Johan Josiah
Sonia Zapata
Host Organization
NGO Committee on Human Settlements (Vancouver Work Group)
Host Organization Description
In 1985, the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO) appointed a Committee on Housing and Shelter to coordinate the activities of its members on preparations for the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless (IYSH), 1987, for which the UNCHS (Habitat) had been designated as the coordinating unit. The Committee on Housing and Shelter became a member of the Steering Committee of the NGO Committee on Development. It was chaired by the late Eric Carlson, Director of Housing in the former UN Centre for Housing, Building and Planning and Director of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation and Senior Advisor to UNCHS (Habitat). Prior to the Committee's establishment, he worked closely with a former chairperson, Caroline Pezzullo, on a report highlighting the role of women in human settlements for the UN Conference on Women, Nairobi, 1985. UNCHS welcomed the establishment of the Committee and more extensive NGO involvement in the IYSH project and other major programs. The Committee will continue its collaboration with the Executive Director, UN-Habitat, Mrs. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, in pursuit of the programme goals. The Committee's focus is to support Habitat's interests at relevant events.
Website
www.infra.kth.se/bba/arc_peace/index.htm
Report
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Title of Event: Name of Organisation: Date and time of the session: |
Human Settlements: It's More than Homes Vancouver Work Group of the NGO Committee on Human Settlements 20 June 2006 13:30 - 15:30
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Key Highlights
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2. What were the core issues identified in your event as they relate to the theme and sub-themes of WUFIII? The work group developed a series of talking points, all speakers were given a copy. The purpose of the talking points was to relate their field experience to: 1. affordable housing and obstacles to meeting the MDGS, 2. marginalized groups, 3. upgrading slum and squatter settlements, 4. ageing and youth, 5. Public Private Project Implementation. Among the major issues identified was that the provision of affordable housing and basic infrastructure leads to increased amenities, better health conditions and improved livelihoods for all members of recipient communities. Urban Planning is a tool for sustainable urban development that can also be used as an effective predictive tool for rapidly changing urban demographics. |
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3. What were the main points raised by panellists and participants in relation to these different issues? What new ideas have been generated as a result of the discussion? • There is an essential relationship between the provision of livelihoods and sustainable human settlements. The link with housing, infrastructure and job generation via the building industries. • In those projects with substantial private sector participation, corporate social responsibility was necessary to extend employment after the construction projects and to support work from home as well as work away from home. • The needs of older persons in human settlements differ in developed and developing nations. People in the 60 - 80 age group will triple by the year 2050 worldwide. Cities in developing nations will have more older people than those in developed ones. • The empowerment process is paramount given that people can only empower themselves. • Marginalized peoples, the Roma, in Belgrade and other Central European areas where they were once sole groups are now joined by displaced persons and refugees. Gentrification has led to further dislocation of people, and the proliferation of illegal settlements. Among some of the largest shantytowns in the world, Kibera, in Nairobi has about 3 million residents, 50% of those are youth. Dire health and living conditions exacerbated by commercial sex (by young women) and drug use (by young men) lead to increased morbidity and mortality due to HIV/AIDS |
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4. What process steps have been identified in your event that could help turn ideas into operational reality? Slums and shantytowns are a global phenomenon. Culture and location specific processes initiated by self empowered persons are the most viable. |
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