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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

WORLD HABITAT DAY 2012

WORLD HABITAT DAY 2012



The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day. This year, World Habitat Day will be celebrated on 1 October 2012. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all, to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.United Nations chose the theme Changing Cities, Building Opportunities because cities are the engines of growth. It is in the cities that many realise their dreams of a better life. Even if this is not achieved, still many more leave the rural areas and flock to the cities for no other reason than the promise of a better future and prosperity. This they achieve by either getting jobs or by starting businesses which at one point not only provide for the owners but even other employees thus creating jobs.
Under this theme, UN-Habitat wants to underscore the need to plan our cities better because as has also been stated, unplanned growth of cities lead to chaotic development and urban sprawl. When well planned, cities can continue to afford opportunities to both the current and future residents. This dovetails with the new UN-Habitat campaign, I am a city changer which seeks to involve all in making their cities a better place to live. This year’s theme, Many Homes, One Community, will call attention to the pivotal role of housing in a neighborhood’s progression.Habitat for Humanity supporters around the globe will participate in special activities that highlight the need for safe, decent and affordable shelter.
World Habitat Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, including in places such as Angola, China, India, Mexico, Poland, Uganda and the United States. Various activities around the world are organized to examine the problems of rapid urbanization and its impact on the environment and human poverty.  Activities may include awards ceremonies, including the “Habitat Scroll of Honour” award.UN’s World Habitat Day was first celebrated in 1986 with the theme “Shelter is My Right”. Nairobi was allocated as the host city for the observance that year. This annual event is held on the first Monday of October with a new theme each year. Previous themes included: “Shelter for the Homeless” (1987); “Our Neighbourhood” (1995); “Future Cities” (1997); “Safer Cities” (1998); “Women in Urban Governance” (2000); “Cities without Slums” (2001) and “Water and Sanitation for Cities” (2003).
An important highlight of the day is the “Habitat Scroll of Honour” award, which was launched by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHSP) in 1989. It is believed to be the world’s most prestigious human settlements award and aims to acknowledge initiatives that make outstanding contributions in areas such as shelter provision, highlighting the plight of the homeless, leadership in post conflict reconstruction, and developing and improving the human settlements and the quality of urban life.The UNHSP logo and slogan are often associated with World Habitat Day. The logo features The logo features a wreath consisting of crossed conventionalized branches of an olive tree encapsulating a circle. Within the circle is a figure of a person with his/her arms stretched out. The figure appears to be standing in front of a triangle. Underneath the image are the words “UN-HABITAT”. The slogan: “Shelter For All” is written in capital letters and sometimes appears next to the logo.For this year, World Habitat Day is observed on October 1 with the theme, “Changing Cities, Building Opportunities.” 

Under the theme, the UN Habitat underscores the need to plan cities better because unplanned growth of cities leads to chaotic development and urban sprawl, the UN-Habitat Executive Director Joan Clos said in a press statement. 
Cities are engines of growth, the UN Habitat press statement stated. It is in the cities that many people realize their dreams of a better life. Even if this is not achieved, many people still leave the rural areas and flock to the cities for no other reasons than the promise of a better future and prosperity. When well planned, cities as centers for economic activities can address urban challenges and continue to afford opportunities to both the current and future residents. 

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, in his message for the 2012 World Habitat Day said, “Better planned and better functioning cities can help guide us to the future we want: cities where everyone has adequate shelter, water, sanitation, health and other basic services; cities with good education and job prospects; cities with energy-efficient buildings and public transport systems; cities where all feel they belong." The UN Secretary General called for commitment to work together for integrated, holistic management of the urban environment for the benefit of the people and the planet. dovetails with the new UN-Habitat campaign, “I am a City Changer,” which seeks to involve everyone in making their cities a better place to live in. Among the suggested activities for this important commemoration include the: Use of mass media particularly newspapers, radio and television, to draw attention to World Habitat Day celebrations. If possible, issue press releases, display posters, organize press conferences, and broadcast video and audio spots. 

Another activity is to draw attention to the problems and issues on this year's theme, particularly Urban Land and Legislation & Governance, Urban Planning & Design, Urban Economy, Urban Basic Services, Housing & Slum Upgrading, Risk Reduction & Rehabilitation, and Urban Research & Capacity Development through press articles, radio and television documentaries and panel programs with policy makers, government officials, academics, journalists, other professionals, and community representatives. Other suggested activities are Organizing public information campaigns, and use popular theatre to create awareness of the problems and issues; Using the occasion to publicize, reward and demonstrate tangible improvements in urban issues in the community; Organizing competitions to find solutions to human settlements and urban problems. Essay and painting competitions help create awareness of the World Habitat Day theme in schools and colleges; Organizing fund raising, recreational or entertainment activities like football matches, or concerts, and using the proceeds to upgrade and extend services for poor communities. 

Moreover, the one can participate by encouraging postal authorities to issue special World Habitat Day stamps while Education authorities in collaboration with local and national authorities can encourage the introduction into the school curriculum of teaching programs about sustainable urban development. (PIA 8)A modest assembly of eco-friendly architecture enthusiasts in the city celebrated the World Habitat Day on ,1st October,2012, by commemorating the contributions of Laurie Baker, the high-priest of organic architecture.Noted architect and disciple of Baker, Jaigopal G. Rao, livened up the evening organised by the Lifelong Learning Foundation at BTH Sarovaram saying Baker lived the life of a humourous rebel to drive home his ideas and concepts such as architecture as a product of human craft rooted in local environment.
Living a simple, less wasteful life, Baker worked for the welfare of the economically backward and made use of locally available material for construction. “A free person, he used humour to put across his ideas. An excellent worker himself — he was wonderful at masonry, carpentry and stonework — Baker paid key attention to details in design and construction. The Centre for Development Studies (CDS) in Thiruvananthapuram he designed and built continues to be a pilgrim centre for budding architects from across the country. Baker model retained trees, introduced rainwater harvesting, and reinforced the idea of having an architect-builder team. I guess the biggest mistake of modern (Western) architecture is that it separated architects from builders,” Mr. Rao said in his presentation on ‘The Living Baker’ that sought to bring out Baker’s multi-faceted personality.Later, dwelling on his vision for Kochi’s sustainable development, ‘Vision Kochi 2030’, Mr. Rao said massive encroachment, destruction of water bodies and accumulation of waste have given rise to urban sprawl, increased dependence on automobiles and a condition where people commute long distances to work. While special zones such as SEZ areas and technology parks are well-planned, there is hardly any comprehensive urban planning to decongest cities.Citing the economically and socially viable development plan for Eda Kochi drawn up by him, Mr. Rao said there is a need to develop high density zones in cities and connect such zones by way of mass rapid transit systems.

Prof. John Kurakar


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