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Oct 24, 2008
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Media Release
in latest UN-HABITAT report
SINGAPORE - Good governance and policy interventions play critical roles in determining the prosperity and growth of cities. Proper coordination and collaboration between national, provincial and local authorities can lead to harmonious regional and urban development when all levels share a common vision and demonstrate sufficient political will. Balanced development is achieved through consistent and targeted investments, for instance, in transport and communications infrastructure.
2. These were among the many insights contained in the latest report issued by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT). The “State of the World’s Cities Report 2008/2009” was unveiled globally this week, with Singapore joining cities such Geneva, London and Bangkok in hosting the launch. Published once every two years, the UN-HABITAT Report aims to provide an update on current challenges facing the world’s urban areas.
3. In this latest account, UN-HABITAT has chosen the theme of “Harmonious Cities” to focus on three key areas of urban development: spatial/regional harmony, social harmony, and environmental harmony. Each of these areas contributes significantly to the overall management and well-being of individual cities.
4. In her introduction to the Report, UN Under Secretary General and Executive Director for UN-HABITAT Anna K. Tibaijuka writes, “Enlightened and committed political leadership combined with effective urban planning, governance and management that promote equity and sustainability are the critical components to the building of harmonious cities.”
Factors for Urban Success
5. To highlight the importance of good governance, the Report demonstrates that national policies, corporate strategies and the comparative advantages that cities offer to global, regional and local markets have, to a large extent, determined which cities will grow. The Report attributes the rapid growth in recent years of cities in China’s southern and eastern regions to national policies which included pro-urban approaches to economic development. This was aided by policies which designated them as special economic zones.
6. Besides such measures, UN-HABITAT’s analysis of 245 cities in the developing world which are experiencing the fastest growth has also revealed that targeted investment in transport and in communication infrastructure are other significant drivers of urban growth and economic development. More than half of these cities grew because of investment in transport infrastructure. The development of information technology and financial services-related sectors was seen as the third most important contributor to city growth.
7. Furthermore, the Report notes that cities provide an opportunity to mitigate or even reverse the impact of global climate change, as they offer the economies of scale that reduce per capita costs and aggregate demand for resources. In particular, compact and well-regulated cities with environmentally friendly public transport systems can make a positive impact.
Singapore Receives Positive Mention
8. Singapore has received several positive mentions in this latest UN-HABITAT Report. It cites the city-state as one of the “already well known urban centres that experienced significant economic and population growth in recent years as a result of financial trade and communication services.” According to the Report, Singapore has also “made concerted efforts to reduce levels of air pollutants.” In addition, Singapore scored well on comparative rankings in areas such as energy consumption, and car ownership.
9. Commenting on the report, Mr Andrew Tan, Director for Centre for Liveable Cities said, "This Report is timely. Half the world's population now lives in cities. The challenges facing cities - clean environment, affordable housing, energy, water and food security - have become more pressing. Tackling these issues will require closer cooperation and integrated approaches, particularly in the emerging economies in Asia. The Centre for Liveable Cities hopes to play its part by promoting greater dialogue and sharing of expertise in these areas."
10. Mr Tan was speaking at the CLC-organized Singapore launch for the UN-HABITAT Report, which coincided with United Nations Day. The UN Charter entered into force on 24 October 1945. He was joined at the event by Mr Ali Shabou, Chief of the UN-HABITAT Office in Amman, Jordan, Mr Banji Oyeyinka, Director of UN-HABITAT’s Monitoring and Research Division, and by Ms Rasna Warah, the Report’s editor.
Jointly Issued By:
Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore/
United Nations Human Settlements Programme
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | 24 OCTOBER 2008 |
Media Release
Good governance key to cities’ growth and prosperity
Observations on the state of the world’s cities containedin latest UN-HABITAT report
SINGAPORE - Good governance and policy interventions play critical roles in determining the prosperity and growth of cities. Proper coordination and collaboration between national, provincial and local authorities can lead to harmonious regional and urban development when all levels share a common vision and demonstrate sufficient political will. Balanced development is achieved through consistent and targeted investments, for instance, in transport and communications infrastructure.
2. These were among the many insights contained in the latest report issued by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT). The “State of the World’s Cities Report 2008/2009” was unveiled globally this week, with Singapore joining cities such Geneva, London and Bangkok in hosting the launch. Published once every two years, the UN-HABITAT Report aims to provide an update on current challenges facing the world’s urban areas.
3. In this latest account, UN-HABITAT has chosen the theme of “Harmonious Cities” to focus on three key areas of urban development: spatial/regional harmony, social harmony, and environmental harmony. Each of these areas contributes significantly to the overall management and well-being of individual cities.
4. In her introduction to the Report, UN Under Secretary General and Executive Director for UN-HABITAT Anna K. Tibaijuka writes, “Enlightened and committed political leadership combined with effective urban planning, governance and management that promote equity and sustainability are the critical components to the building of harmonious cities.”
Factors for Urban Success
5. To highlight the importance of good governance, the Report demonstrates that national policies, corporate strategies and the comparative advantages that cities offer to global, regional and local markets have, to a large extent, determined which cities will grow. The Report attributes the rapid growth in recent years of cities in China’s southern and eastern regions to national policies which included pro-urban approaches to economic development. This was aided by policies which designated them as special economic zones.
6. Besides such measures, UN-HABITAT’s analysis of 245 cities in the developing world which are experiencing the fastest growth has also revealed that targeted investment in transport and in communication infrastructure are other significant drivers of urban growth and economic development. More than half of these cities grew because of investment in transport infrastructure. The development of information technology and financial services-related sectors was seen as the third most important contributor to city growth.
7. Furthermore, the Report notes that cities provide an opportunity to mitigate or even reverse the impact of global climate change, as they offer the economies of scale that reduce per capita costs and aggregate demand for resources. In particular, compact and well-regulated cities with environmentally friendly public transport systems can make a positive impact.
Singapore Receives Positive Mention
8. Singapore has received several positive mentions in this latest UN-HABITAT Report. It cites the city-state as one of the “already well known urban centres that experienced significant economic and population growth in recent years as a result of financial trade and communication services.” According to the Report, Singapore has also “made concerted efforts to reduce levels of air pollutants.” In addition, Singapore scored well on comparative rankings in areas such as energy consumption, and car ownership.
9. Commenting on the report, Mr Andrew Tan, Director for Centre for Liveable Cities said, "This Report is timely. Half the world's population now lives in cities. The challenges facing cities - clean environment, affordable housing, energy, water and food security - have become more pressing. Tackling these issues will require closer cooperation and integrated approaches, particularly in the emerging economies in Asia. The Centre for Liveable Cities hopes to play its part by promoting greater dialogue and sharing of expertise in these areas."
10. Mr Tan was speaking at the CLC-organized Singapore launch for the UN-HABITAT Report, which coincided with United Nations Day. The UN Charter entered into force on 24 October 1945. He was joined at the event by Mr Ali Shabou, Chief of the UN-HABITAT Office in Amman, Jordan, Mr Banji Oyeyinka, Director of UN-HABITAT’s Monitoring and Research Division, and by Ms Rasna Warah, the Report’s editor.
Jointly Issued By:
Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore/
United Nations Human Settlements Programme
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