The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, through its Division for Sustainable Development (DSD/DESA), in collaboration with the Municipal Government of Toyota, Aichi, Japan, will organize a High-level Symposium on Sustainable Cities: Connecting People, Environment and Technology, in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on 15-16 January 2015.

Cities face multiple challenges. In developing countries, it is estimated that one billion people live in urban slums. They often lack basic social services, such as health care, education, and their neighbourhoods are often without safe drinking water supplies, basic sanitation or public transport.

Globally, cities are fast becoming sources of growing environmental degradation. An estimated 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from cities and more than 70 per cent of energy is consumed in urban areas. This places cities at the forefront of the climate change agenda. In both developed and developing countries, cities are also responsible for increased water consumption, air pollution, congestion and wastes. Looking ahead, some 70 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050, with the urbanization occurring largely in developing countries, compounding their urban development challenges.

These challenges notwithstanding, cities are often centres of commerce, education and scientific and technological innovations, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and enriching our social and cultural fabric. Promoting sustainable cities and sustainable urbanization will therefore be essential to poverty reduction and to a sustainable future.

At the Rio+20 Conference, world leaders recognized the importance of sustainable cities and sustainable urbanization. They reaffirmed that cities, if well planned and developed, including through integrated planning and management approaches, can promote economically, socially and environmentally sustainable societies. In this regard, they recognized the need for a holistic approach to urban development and human settlements that provides for affordable housing and infrastructure and prioritizes slum upgrading and urban regeneration mobility. They further recognized the need for conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of cities, as well as the importance of the revitalization of historic districts and the rehabilitation of city centres.

At Rio, world leaders further committed themselves to promoting sustainable development policies that support inclusive housing and social services; a safe and healthy living environment for all; affordable and sustainable transport and energy; promotion, protection and restoration of safe and green urban spaces; safe and clean drinking water and sanitation; healthy air quality; generation of decent jobs; and improved urban planning and slum upgrading. They underlined the importance of considering disaster risk reduction, resilience and climate risks in urban planning and the efforts of cities to balance development with rural regions.

The Symposium aims to share experiences and assist national and local governments in improving decision-making in urban planning and management and in moving toward sustainable cities and sustainable urbanization. It will facilitate frank and open discussions on challenges and successes in designing and implementing strategies and policy measures in support of sustainable cities and sustainable urbanization. It will offer to all participants a platform for sharing experiences and best practices in economic transformation of cities,; in investing in urban infrastructure; in advancing science, technology, and innovation for sustainable cities and sustainable urbanization; and in promoting dynamic rural-urban economies and multi-stakeholder engagement, including with the private sector.
The symposium is supported by the following departments of the Japanese government: Cabinet Office;
Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Ministry of the Environment as well as the Aichi Prefectural Government.

The participants for the symposium are by invitation only. About 200-250 participants will be attending this symposium. Read more in the Aide Memoire on the right side of this page.