18 May 2016: Two-thirds of the global population is expected to live in cities by 2030 and produce as much as 80% of global GDP, according to a UN-Habitat report released ahead of the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III). The ‘World Cities Report 2016, Urbanization and Development: Emerging Futures’ finds that while cities have become platforms for production and innovation, and lifted millions out of poverty through better jobs and improved quality of life, urbanization has also led to overcrowding, increased inequalities, and environmental and health challenges.

In the shift towards increased urbanization, poor planning can cause economic disorder, congestion, pollution and civil unrest, the report says. It notes that cities account for 60-80% of energy consumption, and generate almost 70% of human-induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With this and other significant impacts of urbanization and cities, the New Urban Agenda to be agreed at Habitat III will be critical to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the report says.

The report calls for New Urban Agenda to focus on “problem-solving with clear means of implementation,” and highlights the need to change urbanization patterns. Other key messages include that: cities foster social and economic advancement and improved quality of life when well managed; many cities are unprepared for the urban-related challenges; a paradigm shift is required to take advantage of the opportunities offered by urbanization; and the New Urban Agenda should promote cities and human settlements that are environmentally sustainable, resilient, socially inclusive, safe and free of violence, and economically productive.

Habitat III will convene from 17-20 October 2016, in Quito, Ecuador. [UN Press Release] [UN-Habitat Press Release] [Publication: World Cities Report 2016, Urbanization and Development: Emerging Futures]