United Nations Human Settlements Programme Programme des Nations Unies pour les ĂŠtablissements humains - Programa de las Naciones Unidas para los Asentamientos Humanos
Proceedings of
the Expert Group Meeting 1 of
the Habitat III – World Cities Report 2015
St JamesCenter, 65 Church Street Toronto, Canada, 25-26 September 2014
Research and Capacity Building Branch UN-HABITAT
Contents I. Introduction................................................................................................................................. 3 I.A. Background to the meeting.................................................................................................... 3 I.B. Objectives of the meeting...................................................................................................... 3 I.C. Opening of the meeting......................................................................................................... 3 I.C.3. Adoption of the Agenda.................................................................................................. 5 I.D. Closing of meeting................................................................................................................ 5 II. Summary of discussions............................................................................................................ 6 II.A. A New Urban Agenda: 2015, 2016 & Beyond.....................................................................6 II.A.1. Overview of the World Cities Report 2015...................................................................6 II.A.2. Reframing the Urban Future.......................................................................................... 8 II.A.3. From Habitat II to Habitat II, Twenty Years of Urban Development............................9 II.A.4. Transformative Opportunities..................................................................................... 10 II.A.5. Chapter 3: Housing...................................................................................................... 12 II.A.6. Chapter 5: Urban Environment...................................................................................13 II.A.7. Chapter 8: Urban and Regional Planning....................................................................14 II.A.8. Working Modalities and Plans for EGM 2 & 3...........................................................14 Annex I. List of Participants....................................................................................................... 16 Annex II. Programme of the Habitat III-WCR 2015 EGM.....................................................17
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I. Introduction I.A. Background to the meeting 1. On 1 March 2012, the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/207 decided to convene in 2016, in line with the bi-decennial cycle (1976, 1996 and 2016), a Third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Development (Habitat III) to reinvigorate the global commitment to sustainable urbanization that should focus on the implementation of a �New Urban Agenda�. The objective of Habitat III will be to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable urban development, assessing accomplishments to date and identifying and addressing new and emerging challenges. With the first Preparatory Committee (Prepcom) meeting planned to take place in New York 17-18 September 2014 preparations at local, national, regional and global levels are required to undertake an assessment of the implementation of the Habitat Agenda adopted by Governments at Habitat II in 1996, as well as of other internationally agreed goals and targets relevant to housing and sustainable urban development. 2. The World Cities Report 2015 (WCR 2015) will be the first publication of its kind, providing rigorous analysis on progress made and emerging trends, with a view to formulating an urban agenda for the 21st century. Recognizing the significance of this global effort, the International City Leaders Foundation in partnership with UN-Habitat held the first expert group meeting in Toronto, Canada from September 25 to 26, 2014 to advise UNHabitat on the substantive content and organisation of the WCR 2015. Draft overviews of the chapters were presented and discussed, the revised outcome of which will form the basis for the individual chapters of the WCR 2015. Subsequent meetings will take place in Nairobi, Kenya (April 2015) and most probably in Europe (June 2015). The World Cities Report 2015 will serve as a major background document for Habitat III, which is scheduled to be convened in 2016.
I.B. Objectives of the meeting 3.
The First Expert Group meeting had three key objectives: a. Review progress made and identify emerging trends in urban areas since 1996 (following Habitat II); b. Propose actions that can be adopted to guide urban development over the next twenty years; and c. Provide inputs towards the outline of individual chapters of the WCR 2015.
4.
The meeting was attended by (see also Annex I): a. Some consultant authors of the WCR 2015; b. A distinguished group of international experts; c. Staff members from International City Leaders Foundation and UN-Habitat.
I.C. Opening of the meeting 5. Mr. John Hogan of the International City Leaders Foundation, Toronto, Canada opened the meeting by welcoming and thanking all participants for attending (see Annex I). He gave Proceedings, 1st Expert Group Meeting
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a brief background of the Habitat I, Habitat II and Habitat Agenda, and underscored the key role which local governments, elected leaders and civil society played in reviewing urban and housing policies affecting the future of cities. To facilitate this engagement, Mr. John Hogan informed participants that a preparatory process in preparation for Habitat III was established, with the first session taking place in New York from the 15 to 18 September 2014, to determine the rules and procedures of the conference. He announced that the second Prep Com pre-activities were scheduled to take place in Nairobi in April 2015, to agree on the broad themes of the Habitat III conference. This would be followed by a third meeting in Ecuador which was slated for June 2016, to enable negotiations between governments. 6. Mr. Hogan drew attention to the importance of the WCR 2015 and how it fitted into the Habitat III preparatory process. He pointed out that fifteen governments had critically reviewed the implementation of the Habitat Agenda in their various contexts, and submitted national reports. It was expected that the Habitat Agenda partners would formulate positions to influence governments, ensuring that their interests were reflected in the process. The culmination of which would result in a shared vision of the New Urban Agenda, an agenda which many expected to recognize the ever changing dynamics of human civilization, and the future, which would be decided by cities. 7. Mr. Hogan acknowledged that the meeting had come at a late stage for the WCR 2015, due to the time it had taken to mobilize resources. As such the focus of the meeting in Toronto would be based on an overview of what the chapters will look like. It was expected that at the next meeting in Nairobi, participants would be able to review more fully developed chapters of the WCR 2015, whose written inputs would be completed by the final meeting in June 2015.
Keynote Address 8. The President of the International City Leaders Foundation, Mr. Reza Pourvaziry, delivered the keynote address, during which he noted the key role participants play in preparing a report that would accurately reflect the real world situation in urban areas. He pointed out the need to focus on enhancing urban leadership and prosperity for sustainable cities.
Purpose and expected outcomes of the meeting 9. Ms Prabha Khosla, a representative of the ICLF led the participants in selfintroductions. Participants briefly indicated their expectations. 10. The overall purpose of the meeting was to harvest substantive inputs from the meeting participants regarding the detailed outline of the WCR 2015. 11. Meeting participants were expected to identify key messages, gaps and omissions in the overview draft chapters of the report, and provide concrete indications on how these could be addressed. 12. Consolidated comments would be prepared for the revision of the overview draft chapters based on the proceedings of the meeting, as well as all other comments received from within UN-Habitat and other external experts. 13. Detailed proceedings of the meeting would be shared with participants after the meeting. Proceedings, 1st Expert Group Meeting
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I.C.1. Adoption of the Agenda 14. The programme for the meeting (Annex II) was adopted as proposed by ICLF and UNHabitat.
I.D. Closing of meeting 15. Dr. Eduardo Moreno of UN-Habitat expressed his appreciation to ICLF for the organization of and logistical support provided at the meeting. He pointed out that the meeting had been truly enjoyable and appreciated the efforts of Reza Pourvaziry, John Hogan, Banafsheh Taherian, Farnoush Rai, Prahba Khosla, Milena Redda and Shivani Garg Shrivastava, who were all behind the warm reception in Toronto, and the meetings successful outcomes. He also thanked particpants for travelling from all over the world to attend the meeting, and for showing their commitment. He stated that the interactive process and useful inputs towards the preparation of the WCR 2015, had been extremely helpful for UN-Habitat to obtain more focus, as well as learn from the arising tensions. 16. Dr. Moreno stressed the need to point out that cities matter. He pointed out key messages from the meeting, some of which include: the need to create conditions that lead transformative change; the importance of interrelating knowledge to the urban agenda; and the need to improve living conditions for a people centered perspectives. He stated that with all the direct and indirect support from the meeting participants, it will be possible to advance the New Urban Agenda, which has been recognized as a global effort. Finally, he thanked his colleages from UN-Habitat for their participation and good work, and emphasized the need for a streamlined, and aspirational report. 17. Mr. John Hogan pointed out that whereas Habitat II had been successful in placing cities on the map, it had failed in part as it had no focus. He went on to extend his appreciation to meeting participants for the generous offers they had made as individuals and institutions to advance the preparations of the WCR 2015 and Habitat II. He reassured meeting participants that a follow up would be made with them in the weeks to come.
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II. Summary of discussions 18. The first day of the meeting was divided into three main sessions: The official opening of the meeting, which included an overview of the WCR 2015; and presentations and discussions outlining the remarkable changes that many urban areas have experienced since 1996, the forces shaping these changes, as well as emerging urban trends. The outcomes of the second and third sessions are summarised in sections II.A.1, II.A.2 and II.A.3 (Day One). 19. The second day of the meeting was dedicated to presentations and discussions on the detailed outlines of the upcoming chapters of the WCR 2015. These are summarized in sections II.A.4, II.A.5, II.A.6 and II.A.7. The summary of the discussions below has been organized around specific issues rather than individual contributions during the various sessions.
II.A. A New Urban Agenda: 2015, 2016 & Beyond 20. Dr. Eduardo Moreno presented a narrative of the New Urban Agenda: 2015, 2016 & Beyond. His presentation was divided into three main sections: a preamble of the Habitat Agenda and the milestones achieved since Habitat I; the substantive changes between Habitat II and Habitat III; and the political changes since Habitat II. He also highlighted the need to harness the transformative power of urbanization for positive outcomes, by promoting a new model of urban development that is able to integrate all facets of sustainable development. This was followed by an open discussion amongst all participants. 21. Overall, participants commended Eduardo for having prepared a well elaborated background which reflected the incredible transition between Habitat I and II. However, participants pointed out that there was need for a more robust shaping of urban policy, as well as a stronger narrative to convince the world that cities matter. It was further noted that the role of the local authorities and how they contribute to this process needs to be made explicit. 22. The discussion observed with a sense of urgency, the need to reposition the report, and focus on a more coherent view of the importance and role of urbanization and cities. It was suggested that the report clarify what we do in cities that would help solve major problems that impact global leadership such as inequality, climate change, jobs and economic growth. A representative of UN-Habitat noted that some aspects of the urban agenda have been approached by some cities. Still, there was need to have a common understanding of the New Urban Agenda. 23. Some participants called for the need to promote migration, as well as to control it, in order to enable the poor to move to more dynamic areas. In this connection, it is important to integrate the needs, responses and challenges experienced by the global South.
II.A.1. Overview of the World Cities Report 2015 II.A.1.a. Introduction 24. Dr. Ben Arimah of UN-Habitat presented an overview of the outline of the first edition of the WCR, the preparation of which coincides with Habitat III. He pointed out that the main objective of the report was to examine the context which requires the development of a New Proceedings, 1st Expert Group Meeting
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Urban Agenda, and take stock of the remarkable changes that many areas have experienced for the last two decades. It would also discuss the forces shaping these changes, as well as the recent emerging trends. 25. Dr. Arimah further indicated that urbanization constitutes a transformative force that can be harnessed for national development in both developed and developing countries. He pointed out that some consultant authors who were present at the meeting, would have an opportunity to highlight some of the issues in Part II of the report such as housing, slum reduction and basic services, including how they intended to go about their responsibilities. He stated that Part III of the report flagged urban prosperity as a key means for achieving sustainable urbanization. As such, using UN-Habitat’s ‘city prosperity index’ (CPI), the report would attempt to provide a better perspective of how cities are faring. II.A.1.b. Discussion 26. The discussion was led by Dr. Moreno based on issues which had been raised at the Habitat III Prep Com meeting in New York. He re-emphasized the need to make a compelling narrative that cities matter. He also pointed out the importance of clarifying whether the repositioned Urban Agenda was global or if the focus was regional. He further indicated the need to consider empirically demonstrating the transformative role of urbanisation, including the integration of rural-urban linkages. This was followed by an open discussion amongst all participants. 27. It was noted that whilst there was a failed narrative about cities, evidence showed that there was an optimistic shift around the global agenda, including the placement of cities. The discussion observed that some of the forces that had shaped the changes in urban areas have changed in terms of how they were framed. Likewise, whilst some of the persistent issues such as basic services and the rights to housing have not yet been solved, issues such as data and ICT were relatively new. Collectively, participants agreed on the need for the report to have a regional perspective. 28. One participant called for greater emphasis on the need for better urban finance. Bringing the private sector into the process of managing urbanization and change is one aspect of partnership building that cities in developing countries need to make a priority, as private financing seldom goes to infrastructure. As such, there is a big gap in the amount of revenue sources that urban policymakers can access. The report needs to adopt a positive tone about the global agenda, yet clearly discuss the successful approaches which cities are taking in order to improve on addressing inequalities, economic development and climate change. 29.
Other specific comments from the discussion included the following: a. The report needs to reach its intended audience – it is important that the report to make the report evidence-based. b. The MDGs did make mention of cities. However, with the SDGs, there is a need to keep cities in the forefront.
30. Overall, participants discussed the strategic importance of highlighting areas where cities have been successful and not so successful. It also needs to be made clear that whereas cities are opportunities for social change, it is important to recognize the interplay between them. Thus, it was stressed that the report needs to initiate and develop a clear story line with a sense of urgency, focusing on policy-makers at the city and national level, but also at the intermediate level (the main audience of the WCR 2015).
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II.A.2. Reframing the Urban Future II.A.2.a. Introduction 31. Professor Michael Cohen, the consultant author of the two chapters on the “New urban agenda� and sustainable development, presented some of the issues which a repositioned urban agenda would have to address. He pointed out that the urban narrative was a failed narrative, with cities missing, and one which had not changed substantially in the last twenty five years. He stated that there was an urgent need to reframe the urban, and think about how cities can contribute to solving global problems. He pointed out three main issues of global political concern which include inequality, economic growth and climate change. He proposed the development of a conceptual framework using dynamics, stocks and flows. He argued that whereas the world faced a set of new urban dynamics which are not stable or sustainable, the solutions to the challenges should be rooted in local efforts and experiments, responding to local urban ecologies, economies, and cultures, rather than heavy reliance on the international community. This was followed by an open discussion amongst all participants. II.A.2.b. Discussion 32. The discussion observed that cultural relevance is a key area which drives the urban agenda, but was not being stressed in cities. The New Urban Agenda needs to be people centred and explicitly acknowledge the role of culture as a pillar of sustainable development. Happiness, satisfaction and well being are questions that are constantly being asked. They are sensitive, cultural dimensions which need to be given due consideration. 33. Participants also noted the potential role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the New Urban Agenda. It was pointed out that cities are entering a new phase of technological development, driven by the emergence of cloud-based services, more powerful mobile devices, sensors, big data and analytics. However, these tools had not been included in discussions centred on urbanisation. For example, the inclusion of social media would make the WCR 2015 accessible and easily distributed. 34. It was also indicated that ICT can provide opportunities to strengthen democratic engagement by offering services enabling people to engage in politics and in decision making processes. For example, the current application of ICT in cities such as Bangkok can enable the quality rating of services or reporting a pothole via sending text messages to the police. This could improve the efficiency, operation and transparency of urban planning and physical infrastructure services. 35. It is also important to view ICT as a tool which can help support targets and visions, and which can be integrated in a cross-cutting manner. It was also noted that ICT can be used as a transformative change rather than for optimisation. 36. Additionally, participants noted the need for the WCR 2015 to take a more prospective analysis that is future-oriented. It was suggested that the report adopt bolder visions and proposals that represent a turning point for cities. It was stressed that the urbanization process should be planned for the long term. It was further noted that the use of a conceptual framework, would help unravel urban issues which are interrelated and need to be addressed. 37. It was also noted that economic growth at any level of aggregation, be it a firm, household or city is determined by the combination of growth in resources and the growth in the productivity of those resources. Accordingly, participants felt it was important to think
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about what type of economic rather than more economic growth. For example, traditionally, Spain has had short-lived recessions and increased firing costs. The optimal response to these two circumstances has been to hoard labour. However, Spain is now looking into the possibility of sharing jobs even with minimal growth. These are some of the innovative ideas which are new and interesting, and should be reflected in the chapter on urban economy. 38. The report should attempt to make use of tables and scenarios which show a range of issues and possibilities, and to illustrate the diversity of circumstances in different cities/regions. With respect to peer groups for example, sometimes they are demographic, or climate type or centred around GDP per capita. Using a matrix which illustrates the peer grouping of cities is a good idea. However, the variables should be linked to policy and performance. For example, cities can be grouped by emissions, but the platform needs to be flexible at this point. An interspersed matrix of ideas that are thematically based can help think about these challenges. Further, there is a need to use more technological possibilities when analysing data. UN-Habitat has an opportunity to create a new category to present this for cities 39. A number of participants proposed the need to give more prominence to the regional dimension or specificity of the “New Urban Agenda”. This would allow for policymakers to situate questions posed in some regional context in the first part of the report. It was also pointed out that when discussing demographic differences, the report should illustrate how different regions have changed in the past two decades. 40. In terms of attention to the audience/style/organisation of the report, participants noted, inter alia, that: a. The shelf-life of UN-Habitat flagship reports was limited. b. The longer the report is, the less reliable the data. c. Who is the audience? If UN-Habitat is not clear about this, the conversation might get lost.
II.A.3. From Habitat II to Habitat II, Twenty Years of Urban Development II.A.3.a. Introduction 41. Patricia McCarney and Richard Stren, the consultant authors of Chapter one and two, presented a draft outline of their chapters. The presentation comprised of the main messages of the Global Report on Human Settlements 1996 (GRHS 1996); major themes; and the emerging issues from 1996-2016. Subsequently the discussion was opened to the floor. II.A.3.b. Discussion 42. The discussion noted that the presentation provided a good foundation for analysing the ‘unfinished business.’ It was proposed that the consultant authors identify three or four catalytic issues that have influenced how the urban development has taken off. In particular, what were some of the mega-trends that will shape the urban future? For instance, in Australia it was recognized as the loss of biodiversity, climate change and an ageing population. The notion of place and place-making has also become important. Several more specific issues suggestions were made including, inter alia, the following:
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a. The need to identify the key messages which the chapters should convey. b. How is the transformative force of urbanisation being integrated in the identified themes? c. Try to present the themes as a way of showing systemic changes, so that they do not appear to be an endless list. d. Find another narrative that does not start with economic boom or the demographic component. e. The need to bring back culture in the discussion for consideration in Chapter 2 f. Consider including the political system on the role of cities and culture. Cities are working on different roles of culture which changes the way of life. Likewise, political systems change in many countries. The way of living and the culture is transformative. g. Decentralization was a big issue in Habitat II and this has not been mentioned. h. What is this Urban Agenda and who should influence it? Who is driving the Urban Agenda? There is a need to mention this more explicitly, as the sectors are teased out. i. What is the imperative of cities? The narrative should be fundamentally different from the first sentence. 43. The discussion observed the need to think more about the framework of the chapter. It needs to have some level of synthetic analysis which invokes the need for a New Urban Agenda. In this connection, the chapter should avoid separating actors, and find a better method of integrating and forming an alliance of actors. 44. A representative of UN-Habitat informed meeting participants that the world length of the chapters is at least twice what has been communicated in the concept paper. This will be communicated in the terms of reference. In addition, a platform would also be created to enable consultant authors of the chapters to communicate with one another.
II.A.4. Transformative Opportunities II.A.4.a. Introduction 45. Based on the discussion and feedback from their earlier presentation, Patricia McCarney (one of the consultant authors of the chapter) presented the revised draft outline of Chapter 1 on the second day of the meeting. She focused on three key issues namely transitions (economic and social; demographic; territorial; political; and climate); persistent issues and trends. She also outlined the transformative opportunities in Chapter 2 of the WCR, highlighting cities as pivotal to national and global prosperity. She pointed out that cities were central to the global climate strategy, and as a habitat they are important determinants of happiness and quality of life. She stated that there were planning and management opportunities evidenced by new tools, ICT and data. She noted that globally connected cities were opportunities for learning and local diplomacy. This was followed by an open discussion amongst all participants.
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II.A.4.b. Discussion 46. Participants noted that the presentation was helpful in understanding the planned contents of the chapter. However, they felt that prior to going into the transitions, the consultant authors should consider how the world has changed, and not how cities have changed, for the broader patterns have are of global importance. Likewise, global trends such as globalisation and technology have an urban component that can be structured in the transitions. One participant stated that he would not separate policy and governance from the history. 47. Furthermore, it was pointed out that whereas the organization of the ideas made sense, due consideration should be made with regards to the language used by the consultant authors, so that it is clear to the readers. For example, emerging issues are issues which come out of something else. As such, why was data an issue? 48. It was noted that the issue of cultural relevance is missing in cities. It was proposed that culture be introduced after happiness and quality of life. It was also noted that there was an increase in disparities which was worsening in global areas. There is a need to reposition this in the report and discuss the compounded impact in global communities. 49. The discussion observed that governance should be included as part of the reflection on transitions, including local democracy and participation. These are challenges which have not been resolved, and will be an issue for cities in the future. Whether the issue of governance fitted better in Chapter 1 or 2 is something which the consultant authors needed to decide. 50. Participants felt that the narrative was too positive. It was pointed out that the tone of the report should make the reader uncomfortable, such that emphasis was made on the urgency. Chapter 1 would set out the huge inequalities and polarisation, depicting a model of urbanisation that is transformative but unsustainable; a model of urbanisation that is unfair and exacerbates social injustice and forms of human rights. However, the turning point is that cities offer solutions. In this connection, it was suggested that the following issues be considered: a. What are the key issues that come under transformative urbanisation? b. Whilst urbanisation can play a key role in creating employment opportunities, it is also important to note the high levels of unemployment that exist in urban areas. c. Urbanisation can play a key role in poverty reduction. d. Need to discuss migration and displacement of people as a persistent issue. e. Four key areas which drive the urban agenda include housing, transportation, water and culture. f. Agenda needs to be normative. Be specific about what sort of tools are available at our disposal and aspirational in terms of what the outcomes should be. g. Different levels of collectivity need to be consistent. For each part of the report talk about objectives, instruments and outcomes. h. Consider including challenges in the title of Chapter 1. i. Ecological urbanism is a major change which should be included with the global climate strategy. j. Attention should be paid to the thread in Chapters 1 and 2, as it needed to be introduced in Chapter 3.
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k. Chapter 2 should advocate the need to have another understanding of cities which are well planned. This is due to the fact that urbanisation of well-planned cities offers the opportunity for transformative change. l. There is a need to re-elaborate the key messages in the chapters, so they are not just points (e.g. planning and management opportunities). It is also important to convey the same key messages throughout the entire report, so that the chapters are not compartmentalized. m. Cities are political actors, confirmed in a space where there are local authorities and other spheres of government. n. Cities are the bio-sphere where children live. Housing is how we create better, smarter children. As such, displaced people can be viewed as displaced cultures. The presence of refuges is critical to the culture of cities. o. Cities are not the problem, they are the solution. p. Urbanisation is a process, a continuum between small villages and mega cities. q. What makes sustainable urbanisation? What are some of those preconditions? What will we be able to expect in 2036? r. Chapter 2 should highlight cities as places of innovation and technological advancement. It should also feature the opportunity which cities present in terms of socio-political interactions. 51. In addition, the following emerging key messages of the WCR 2015 were highlighted for consideration: a. Consider calling the report ‘Cites and the Global Future,’ and provide a brief statement about how the world has changed since 1996. b. Cities are critical in the resolution of global issues. If you succeed at the city level, you have a greater chance of succeeding at a global level. c. Cities are very sensitive to policy change d. Demonstrating the way you act and think regarding cities can make a difference. e. Dynamics are also changing. The idea of stocks and flows is relevant. f. Climate change is a game changer.
II.A.5. Chapter 3: Housing II.A.5.a. Introduction 52. Dr. Graham Tipple, the consultant author of the chapter, presented some thoughts on Chapter 3 of the WCR 2015. He started by stating the importance of housing in Habitat II. He pointed out that governments have stepped back from any responsibility to do with housing, rather than become enablers. He stated that whereas the informal sector was the main supplier of housing, the main focus of government activity is often through the formal sector. He further indicated that housing is a productive good link into youth employment; improved incomes; good income with suppliers; high backward linkages; and good forward linkages. Subsequently, the discussion was open to the floor.
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II.A.5.b. Discussion 53. A representative of UN-Habitat cautioned on the need to qualify the statement made that land is cheap, as this was not the case in Nairobi, Lagos or other major or large African cities. However, it was noted that one of the emerging trends being evidenced was land speculation. Further, some participants felt that a lot more actors come to play when housing is a national asset, thus the discussions on housing was not conducive to what is needed to be done about it. 54. It was also pointed out that the typology of housing was relevant culturally. Further, it was possible to meet the argument about density, and the courtyard, which has produced healthy environments. The discussion observed the need to allow people to build in ways that allowed them to be culturally indigenous. 55. Participants indicated that density in informal settlements can achieve the same compactness, without cities having to develop high rise building. Still, it was noted that living in informal settlements was almost a luxury, due to the scarcity of land in many developing countries. 56. Additionally, one participant noted that one of the goals of the transformative urbanisation process is to create better people and to sustain life, as such cities are the by product of this conversation. It was indicated that as long as the focus on cities is as physical entities, the social aspect is forgotten. It was further emphasized that attempts were being made to create space for the next person. As such, the issue was not about who owns the land, but how it should be shared, and this is a social phenomenon.
II.A.6. Chapter 5: Urban Environment II.A.6.a. Introduction 57. Dr. Vanessa Casten Broto, the consultant author of the chapter, presented an overview of chapter five, whose key focus was on climate change – a key environmental concern worldwide. The presentation focussed on existing, emerging and future environmental challenges some of which included: ensuring equal access to natural resources; dealing with environmental risks and rural-urban linkages. She noted that the draft outline of the chapter contained urban response since 1996; game changing strategies and areas of intervention; multi-sectoral and multi-scalar focus on the analysis of transformative aspects; food metabolism related to financing; technological experimentation; moving from behavioural change; and cultural change and changes of practice related to the environment. II.A.6.b. Discussion 58. Overall, participants agreed that the outline was well organized and detailed, and commended the consultant author for raising the connection with public health, as well as identifying the distinction between behavioural and cultural change; and the importance of multi-scalar linkages.
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II.A.7. Chapter 8: Urban and Regional Planning II.A.7.a. Introduction 59. Ms. Sarah Smith McCord presented an overview of Chapter 8 on behalf of Professor Bruce Stiftel. She elaborated on the following sections: review of the failures of urban planning historically with regards to market forces and guiding development patterns; review of the future directions for planning through the themes that have been identified; how planning can be more proactive, and play a role in providing leadership. This was followed by an open discussion amongst all participants.
II.A.7.b. Discussion 60. Participants acknowledged the complexity of reviewing the issue of urban and regional planning in part II of the report, and commended the consultant author for having masterfully done so. However, with regards to how the chapter would develop, the following issues were raised: a. The importance of reflecting on how urban planning can deliver on tomorrow’s great places. What might be the tipping points? b. The need to consider how the chapter would illustrate that urban planning is a key instrument for governance, for example. c. The consultants were advised to use the Global Report of Human Settlements 2009: Planning Sustainable Cities as a starting or reference point.
II.A.8. Working Modalities and Plans for EGM 2 & 3 II.A.8.a. Introduction 61. Mr. Hogan led participants in a discussion regarding the working modalities and future plans for the subsequent expert group meetings, scheduled for April and June 2015. Meeting participants made the following proposals, with regards to the support that they could offer towards the preparation of the report: a. Provide substantive review of the language of the chapters. b. Recommend external reviewers and group of networks for the WCR 2015. c. Provision of expertise in the calculation and development of the CPI. d. Continue to spread awareness on Habitat III, including the preparations being carried out towards the WCR 2015 to local authorities, civil society and academia. e. Provide evidence on best practices from Canada, the Caribbean, Asia, and Latin America, to include non-published material relevant to the thematic areas of the WCR 2015. f. Share resources collected on the urban development of Asian cities. g. Contribute to Chapter on urban government and legislation, to include issues on well being and indicators in cities.
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62. Participants requested Dr. Moreno and Dr. Arimah to give direction on what the outline and form of the WCR 2015 should look like. They also asked UN-Habitat to provide a list of cities, or platforms on what cities are currently doing. 63. Dr. Moreno concluded this session, by reiterating that meeting participants would obtain the proceedings of the meeting, which would highlight the key elements needed to be integrated in the document, including the outline and structure of the report. He stated that UN-Habitat would produce state of the art data in January 2015 that was related to the CPI. In connection with this, information would also be obtained from preliminary resources from the urban expansion team in New York. He further indicated that a platform for collaboration would be set up, to enable a networking system between the consultant authors, as well as the coordination of international inputs for the WCR 2015. He pointed out that the second EGM would take place in Nairobi the following year, and the tentative dates were 20 to 21 April 2015, which would be confirmed.
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Annex I. List of Participants McCarney, Patricia Stren, Richard Tipple, Graham Broto Castan, Vanessa Smith McCord, Sarah Cohen, Michael Bilsky, Edgardo Alvarez Gomez, David Vaughan, Adam Valentini Ange, Borrero Gonzalez Ivan, Jorge Yuen, Belinda Bondesson, Anna Sheehan O’Meare, Molly Ardalan, Nader Pourzarandi Mohammed, Hossein Nosrati, Masoud Frojmovic, Michel Ward, Brian, Maroof, Alieh ICLF Pourvaziry, Reza Garg Shrivastava, Shivani Hogan, John Khosla, Prahba UN-Habitat Moreno, Eduardo Arimah, Ben Kamiya, Marco Mbeche, Udo
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Annex II. Programme of the Habitat III-WCR 2015 EGM Date
Time
Focus
Speakers
25 September
9.00am – 9.30am
Opening & ICLF Habitat I, Habitat II, Habitat III and the World Cities Report 2015 – A Map of the Process
9.15am – 9.30am 9.30am – 9.50am
A New Urban Agenda: 2015, 2016 & Beyond Introductions & Expectations
9.50am – 10.00am
Overview of the World Cities Report 2015
President, ICLF & John Hogan, ICLF Head, RCD Prabha Kholsa, ICLF Ben Arimah, RCD
10.00am – 11.00am 11.00am – 11.20am 11.20am – 1.00pm 1.00pm – 2.00pm 2.00pm -3.00pm
Discussion Coffee/Tea Discussion Lunch – In situ, St. James Center From Habitat II to Habitat III, Twenty Years of Urban Development
3.00pm – 3.45pm 3.45pm – 4.00pm 4.00pm – 5.00pm 5.00pm – 5.30pm 18.00pm 8.30am – 9.00am 9.00am - 10.15am
Discussion Coffee/Tea Discussion Close & Depart for Transport Cocktail Reception, 220 Yonge St. Trattoria Mercatto Summary from Day 1 and Orientation Presentation: Beyond Habitat III, Defining a New Urban Michael Agenda Cohen, NYU Discussion Coffee/Tea Discussion Lunch – Pastizza, 1188 The Esplanade Overview of Upcoming Chapters and working Arrangements of the Group and plans for EGM 2 and EGM 3 April & June 2015 Close Coffee and Departure
26 September
10.15am – 11.00am 11.00am – 11.20am 11.20am – 12.00am 12.00am – 1.45pm 1.45pm – 3.30pm
3.30pm
Proceedings, 1st Expert Group Meeting
Page 17
Patricia McCarney & Richard Stren, Global Cities Institute, University of Toronto
7 October 2014
Proceedings, 1st Expert Group Meeting
Page 18
7 October 2014