World Cities Day 2022: Urbanization, or the development of cities, has existed since the time of the Indus Valley Civilization. In the modern sense, urbanization began with the Industrial Revolution of the late 18th century. In order to find employment, the rural population moved to places near factories which led to the birth of modern cities. World Cities Day is observed every year on 31 October to highlight the need for international cooperation to promote global urbanization and address its challenges. A different city hosts this event every year. Shanghai, China is hosting the event this year.
World Cities Day 2022: Theme
“Better Cities, Better Lives” has been the general theme of World Cities Day since its inception, but a sub-theme is also announced each year. This year’s sub-theme is “Act Local to Go Global”. To reach the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 11 by 2030, local action is critical. SDG 11’s mission is to “make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. There is a need to empower local and regional governments to develop greener and more equitable cities.
World Cities Day: History
On December 27, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established World Cities Day through a resolution. The first celebration took place on 31 October 2014. The Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements in 1976 influenced UNGA’s decision to establish World Cities Day.
The UN-Habitat programme, established the following year, promotes the development of sustainable cities in line with SDG 11 goals. It organizes an annual Urban October event for this purpose which begins on the first Monday of the month and ends with World Cities Day on 31 October.
World Cities Day: Significance
Urbanization is an indicator of national economic development. However, such development is faced with social, economic, demographic and environmental challenges. The most visible challenges to rapid urbanization include displacement of native inhabitants, felling of trees, animals losing their habitat, health care issues, food supply and pollution.
World Cities Day brings together all stakeholders of local and global urban development to help address these challenges.
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