UN-Habitat launches The City Prosperity Index
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Joan Clos
Development actors need to explore a more inclusive notion of prosperity and development, finds new UN-Habitat report The State of the World's Cities 2012/2013: The Prosperity of Cities.
According to the report, there is a need for a shift in attention around the world in favour of a more robust notion of development – one that looks beyond the narrow domain of economic growth that has dominated ill-balanced policy agendas over the last decades, and includes other vital dimensions such as quality of life, adequate infrastructures, equity and environmental sustainability.
"In the Report, UN-Habitat advocates for a new type of city – the city of the 21st century – that is a „good‟, people-centred city," said Dr Joan Clos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat.
He said the city of the 21st Century reduces disaster risks and vulnerabilities for the poor and build resilience to adverse forces of nature; creates harmony between the five dimensions of prosperity and enhances the prospects for a better future.
It also stimulates local job creation, promotes social diversity, maintains a sustainable environment and recognizes the importance of public spaces.
In addition, it comes with a change of pace, profile and urban functions and provides the social, political and economic conditions of prosperity.
Donn Bobb, United Nations.
Duration: 1’18″
