The Centre has unveiled the Urban Development strategy for the next 20 years to use growing urbanization for rapid economic development. Housing and urban poverty alleviation minister M Venkaiah Naidu released “India Habitat III—National report” ahead of the UN Habitat III Conference in Quito, Ecuador later this month where a global New Urban Agenda for the next 20 years is going to be adopted.
The outcomes of new urban agenda based on sustainable urban planning would include,
- Reducing water and electricity use by 50 per cent from that of normal use
- Eenabling over 60 per cent of urban travel by public transport
- Generating half of power from renewable sources
- Promoting walking and cycling for last mile connectivity
- Compact and cluster urban development
- Promoting natural drainage patterns
- Reducing waste generation of all kind and
- Promoting greenery and public places etc.
World Habitat Day
- In Resolution 40/202 of 17 December 1985, the UN General Assembly designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day.
- The 2016 World Habitat Day campaign aims to raise awareness about the need for affordable housing for all in urban areas, towns and cities.
- 2016 Theme: Housing at the Centre.
- Habitat III, the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development will take place in Quito, Ecuador, from 17 – 20 October 2016.
