According to a UN report, 830 million of the world’s population lives in informal settlements adjacent to cities. These slum areas are often overcrowded and lack clean water, energy supply and waste management.
The UN predicts that two billion more people will live in developing countries’ cities in 20 years. At the same time, the negative effects of climate change will affect the citizens even more. This makes sustainable growth of cities an important aspect.
Sida supports a sustainable urban development by involving several sectors and assuring involvement of all citizens to improve their living conditions and contribute to the development of their city and country. An integrated planning process is crucial to handle the complex reality. The planning tools should involve various sectors in the society, and women and men on all levels in society should be given the possibility to participate in the decision making processes.
The city services should be available and affordable to everyone. Laws, rules, policies and plans should, as far as possible, simplify the poorest and marginalised people’s access to land and accommodation. Promoting a more sustainable use of natural resources is also important, for example with new technology, recycling and safe chemical management.
Sida’s support to an integrated urban development focuses on the following areas:
- Integrated local and national development
- Urban management and governance
- Infrastructure and municipal services
- Land management and housing
- Environmental sustainability
Poverty is today growing faster in urban than in rural areas and poor people living in the cities are particularly vulnerable to environmental problems and the health problems they pose . Sida supports the developing countries’ work to implement environmental conventions and ensure a sustainable use of resources.
Sida also supports measures to reduce the citizens’ vulnerability to disasters, including the establishment of environmental strategies on national and local levels. A strong ownership is key to succeed in creating a sustainable urban development. Involving the civil society and private sector is equally important.
