Urbanisation

Facts Background Australia's response The global agenda Facts  World Habitat Day is celebrated on the first Monday of October. This is the day set aside by the UN for the world to reflect on the state of human settlements and the basic right to adequate shelter, and to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat. World population is growing at an annual rate of 1.3% (77 million people per year) and more than 90% of that population growth is taking place in the cities of developing countries. It is estimated that more than 750 million people worldwide live in urban areas without adequate shelter and basic services. In 1950 only one city in the world, New York, had a population of more than 10 million; by 2015 there will be 23 such cities, 19 of which will be in developing countries. 37% of the city population in the developing world is employed within the 'informal' sector - paying no taxes and receiving no security or benefits. Buses are the most common form of transport in the world's cities, followed by cars and then walking. Travel time is longest in Asian cities, with an average of 42 minutes per trip. In 29% of cities in the developing world there are areas that are considered as inaccessible or dangerous to the police. In Latin America and the Caribbean this figure rises to 48%. Source: UN-HABITAT http://www.unhabitat.org Background Living in cities Cities have long been places where the concentration of large numbers of people has fostered specialisation in commerce, industry, arts, sciences and culture. The percentage of the world's population living in cities is increasing rapidly - from 2% in 1800 to 14% in 1900 to 47% in 2000 to a projected 60% in 2030. This growth results partly from people moving to cities to take advantage of increased opportunities and improve their standard of living. It is also the result of migration from other countries and the high fertility rates of the more mobile young people. Each city develops in a unique way according to the people, policies, resources and geography of the area. There is ongoing change as people move, needs change and buildings and infrastructure age. Globalisation with its rapidly developing communication technology and movement of capital is leading to some cities becoming powerful across the world, while others with less resources, are expanding due to the migration of people for work purposes, particularly in the labour intensive manufacturing and service industries. Rapidly increasing populations in cities often mean that there are major economic, social and environmental issues to be addressed - particularly in fast-growing cities in developing countries. Economic issues Cities are increasingly the engines of economic growth. Urban-based economic activities account for more than 50% of gross domestic product in all countries, and more than 80% in Europe. The lowering of trade barriers associated with globalisation, coupled with improved transport, communications and production processes has seen jobs and capital move to areas with lower wage costs. The resulting volatility in the job market has meant that only those who can adapt are likely to remain in employment. Many people are cut out of work because they lack the requisite training and the means to obtain it. This is leading to rapidly increasing the numbers of urban poor. The poor and unskilled are vulnerable to exploitation, as surplus labour means wages can be kept low and working conditions poor. Many people create their own employment through informal jobs and microenterprise, such as selling small items on the street or services such as shoe cleaning or repairs.. Housing and infrastructure Without income the poor may be homeless or forced to find cheap housing, often in squatter settlements in open spaces along railway lines, rivers or highways and made from scavenged materials. These areas generally have uncertain water and electricity supply, limited transport and poor quality food, and are affected by pollution and crime. Poor sewerage and pollution lead to disease, which quickly spreads in cramped conditions. People living in these areas suffer insecurity being under the constant threat of eviction so the land can be used for more economically productive purposes. A growing population places a major strain on outdated facilities, while the cost of new ones can be very high. Increasingly, the massive costs of developing and maintaining infrastructure or rebuilding it after destruction by conflict or natural disasters, has led to the privatisation of services, which often brings increased costs that affect the poor people the hardest. Social issues People in cities tend to live further away from their families and have fewer family connections. This separation can mean greater freedom and less restriction on behaviours, particularly in the case of women, but it also can limit social support and family breakdown and the exploitation or abuse of vulnerable people. It is important for governments to maintain law and order in protection of these people. International migration means that many cities have a multicultural population which can result in culturally distinct areas or ethnic ghettos. Positive social interaction and tolerance can be improved with good policy and shared cultural, religious and recreation facilities. Environmental issues Expanding cities make big demands on the environment, often taking over farmland, polluting waterways and producing large amounts of waste in order to meet the population's need for food, water and energy. If cities are to be sustainable the amount of damage they cause to the environment needs to be limited by such means as restricting their growth, enforcing improved services and increasing accessibility of services so that people can walk or cycle to workplaces and shops. Encouraging growth in rural areas through improved services also limits the expansion of cities. Open spaces in cities can also add to their liveability both socially and environmentally. Australia's response The fundamental aim of Australia's overseas aid program is to alleviate poverty and achieve sustainable development in developing countries. The provision of basic services is an important means of achieving this aim. Much of Australia's overseas aid is concentrated in the Pacific region, which contains few urban areas, but elsewhere some specifically urban problems have been targeted. Examples of these include: helping victims of people trafficking to return to their country of origin through the International Organisation for Migration supporting trainers from law enforcement and health/social sectors in China, Burma and Vietnam to help prevent the transmission of HIV acquired injected drugs strengthening the water supply and improving sanitation in large provincial towns in the Mekong Delta supporting micro-financing organisations in Ho Chi Minh City to assist people developing small businesses establishing a program to enable the Australian Federal Police to work with Philippine law enforcement agencies to help disrupt transnational crime in the region. Source: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/ The global agenda

UN-HABITAT URL:  http://www.unhabitat.org/ The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is designed to prevent and improve problems that stem from rapid urbanisation, particularly in major cities in developing countries. Its mandate is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, while providing adequate shelter for all. Two of its campaigns are: Global Campaign for Secure Tenure, which aims to improve the conditions of people living in slum areas in major urban centres, by promoting security of their residential tenure; and the Global Campaign on Urban Governance, which aims to contribute to the eradication of poverty through improved urban governance, highlighting the needs of the excluded urban poor and promoting the involvement of women in decision making at all levels. Urban Development (World Bank) URL:  http://www.worldbank.org/urban/ The World Bank's urban poverty programs include integrated slum upgrading through housing, health services, nutrition and education programs; and environment and policy-based programs that take a cross-sectoral approach to issues such as tenure and crime prevention.

The small settlement, Cement Huts, is located in a very congested, commercial area of Bangalore, India. Prior to community action the entire population of 626 people, including 256 children, relied on this shared bathroom comprising four toilets and two small wash cubicles. Source: AusAID A team of local people with Australian support built this new community toilet block with eight toilets and three bathrooms, including separate sections for men and women. It is managed by the WATSAN (Water and Sanitation) committee. A caretaker, who has a room on the first floor, is employed to maintain the toilet and collect fees for use. Source:AusAID

The world population is growing at an annual rate of 1.3% (77 million people per year) and over 90% of that population growth is taking place in the cities of developing countries.