Planning Sustainable Cities: Global Report on Human Settlements 2009

Description

Current urban planning systems are not equipped to deal with the major urban challenges of the 21st century, including effects of climate change, resource depletion and economic instability, plus continued rapid urbanization with its negative consequences such as poverty, slums and urban informality. These planning systems have also, to a large extent, failed to meaningfully involve and accommodate the ways of life of communities and other stakeholders in the planning of urban areas, thus contributing to the problems of spatial marginalization and exclusion. It is clear that urban planning needs to be reconsidered and revitalized for a sustainable urban future. Planning Sustainable Cities reviews the major challenges currently facing cities and towns all over the world, the emergence and spread of modern urban planning and the effectiveness of current approaches. More importantly, it identifies innovative urban planning approaches and practices that are more responsive to current and future challenges of urbanization. The Global Report on Human Settlements is the most authoritative and up-to-date global assessment of human settlements conditions and trends. It is an essential reference for researchers, academics, public authorities and civil society organizations all over the world. Preceding issues of the report have addressed such topics as Cities in a Globalizing World, The Challenge of Slums, Financing Urban Shelter and Enhancing Urban Safety and Security.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the agency responsible for coordinating human settlements issues within the United Nations system. It promotes economically productive, socially inclusive and environmentally liveable cities, towns and rural settlements, as well as adequate shelter for all.

'This report documents many effective and equitable examples of sustainable urbanization that are helping to define a new role for urban planning. I commend its information and analysis to all who are interested in promoting economically productive, environmentally safe and socially inclusive towns and cities.' From the Foreword by BAN KI-MOON, Secretary-General, United Nations 'Todya's Books put Planning Sustainable Cities on the 'A-List!' Kelly Spann, Today's Books. 'This will be invaluable to anyone seeking a comprehensive review of global problems in this field.' Library Journal, May 2010. 'A great reference book' Built Environment 'This book is of interest of those who are interested in promoting sustainable process, and is particularly useful in pointing out new directions and in providing recent effective and equitable examples.' Lia Maria Dias Bezerra, University of Brasilia,Urban Research and Practice