Healthy city padang

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Healthy Cities for Better Life: A Declaration for Better Future

IN 1996, WHO set a global health day taking the theme "Healthy Cities for Better Life". In Indonesia, the implementation was carried out through various activities such as seminars and meetings. Livening up the same spirit, the Indonesian Ministry of Home Affair declared healthy city pilot project in 6 cities On October 26th, 1998: Cianjur Regency, Balikpapan City, Bandar Lampung City, Pekalongan City, Malang City, and East Jakarta City. This year, Padang hosted 4th Indonesia Healthy City Conference & Expo 2016 on 2-3 November at Hotel Grand Inna, Padang – Indonesia.

As cities are urbanizing, number of population has been growing rapidly. In line with it, cities are facing problems: traffic congestion, pollution, inadequate housing and public services, crime, and violence.

"In response to problems of living in urban areas, it is necessary to have measured anticipation improving the quality of social and physical environment of the city," said Mayor of Padang City, Mahyeldi, in his welcoming remarks.

The rationale for a healthy city, Mahyeldi added, starts from dynamics and spirit of citizens, local governments, and public institutions at regency / city to address the problems arising from rapid population growth and development of the city itself. Hence, it is the responsibility of all parties.

Healthy city’s approach was first developed in Europe by WHO in 1980s to welcome the Ottawa Charter emphasizing health for all aspects of social, economic, environment, and culture, meaning that its approach focuses not only on health care by analyzing problems of health and sickness, but also holistic aspects affecting public health, both physically and spiritually.

United Cities and Local Government Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) contributed to participate in the event by collaborating with Mayor of Kuching, Malaysia, to share experience in Asian cities. UCLG ASPAC highlighted that Asia nowadays faced urban sprawl. If people are widely engaged in their city’s planning process, most urban growth occurring in Asia would be a great opportunity and not only a challenge to address human health, climate change adaptation, food security, and water security. These health issues have become global agenda (SDGs 3 & SDGs 11) declared in Quito Declaration. UCLG ASPAC also emphasized that local government play important roles to face the challenges by sharing best practices among members.

Representing UCLG ASPAC, Atik Kumala Dewi, Strategic Services Manager, said “We believe that local governments can contribute to sustainable urban development. Act locally to address global challenges and to manage the impact of global phenomena at local level. Reward system is a way to make

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community and local government work together. They can drive national development from the bottom up to create balanced systems of cities..

The 4th Indonesia Healthy City Conference & Expo 2016 in Padang was held successfully, attended by approximately 500 participants and several local governments, enthusiastically joining the conference and exploring exhibition.

The event resulted in Padang Declaration carrying vision to composing a healthy city for better city.