This year’s theme of World Cities Day is Better City, Better Life, while each year a different sub-theme is selected, to either promote successes of urbanisation, or address specific challenges resulting from urbanisation. It aims to promote the international community’s interest in implementing the New Urban Agenda globally and in enhancing cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities and addressing challenges of urbanization in cities. Over half the world’s population now live in cities. With the number expected to double by 2050, urbanization is one of the world’s most transformative trends. Urbanization poses several sustainability challenges related to housing, environment, climate change, infrastructure, basic services, food security, health, education, decent jobs, safety, and natural resources. Urbanisation can also present great opportunities and is a critical tool for sustainable development if it is done right.
Guests:
• Parks Tau Deputy Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
• Vuyiswa Letsoko a lecturer in Town Planning at the University of Johannesburg
• Sithole Mbanga the CEO at SA Cities
