 ARCADIS, the international consulting and engineering company, has hosted UN-HABITATs 6th Steering Committee Meeting of the World Urban Campaign (WUC), in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Attended by some of the world’s most notable human settlements experts, the discussions were a part of a 4-day meeting of UN-HABITAT and private sector partners held from 6 to 9 September 2011 in the Dutch capital.
Speaking before the conference, Dr. Joan Clos, UN-HABITAT Executive Director, said, “A new approach to the city is required and we should be able to create an optimistic and positive view towards urbanization. A city is a collective effort that includes the public and private sectors and requires basic human and political input through good urban planning and design. The World Urban Campaign is the best platform to achieve those goals.”
The session opened with a keynote from ARCADIS Chief Executive Officer Harrie Noy, who said, “ARCADIS has always been dedicated to improving the quality of life around the world and providing sustainable solutions that enhance the built and natural environment”. He continued, “Our partnership with UN-HABITAT via the Shelter Program, support for the World Urban Campaign and in hosting these key meetings is very much central to our collective goals for improving living conditions and balancing human needs within natural constraints.”
The World Urban Campaign is a global coalition of public, private and civil society partners united by a common desire to advocate on the positive role of cities around the world and to promote sustainable urbanization policies, strategies and practices.
Launched last year, the Campaign is coordinated by UN-HABITAT, the United Nations‟ agency for human settlements, which helps the urban poor by bridging the urban divides and transforming cities to cleaner, greener, safer, smarter and more equitable places. The Campaign Steering Committee will be meeting to ensure that its actions remain consistent with the goals of UN-HABITAT.
World Urban Campaign partners represented at the meeting, who included Habitat for Humanity, Veolia, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Huairou Commission, among others, were also guests at the official residence of the Mayor of Amsterdam on Wednesday 8 September where they will be hosted by Deputy Mayor Maarten van Poelgeest. “We are proud that the Campaign is meeting in Amsterdam and feel honored to welcome to our city so many experts with an interest in advancing the creation of sustainable solutions for the human habitat.” |
