World Cities Day 2024 Date, Theme, Significance
Celebrate World Cities Day 2024! Join the global movement for sustainable urban development on World Cities Day 2024 where cities unite for a greener future!
Deeksha Dixit30 Oct, 2024
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World Cities Day 2024: Every year, on October 31, World Cities Day is celebrated to recognize the importance of sustainable urban development. This day encourages discussions on urbanization challenges and seeks solutions to create better living conditions in cities.
As urbanization and related issues form a core topic in the UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 syllabus , aspirants should focus on understanding the multifaceted aspects of urban growth including housing, transportation, environmental issues, etc. Keep reading to learn more about World Cities Day 2024, its history, theme, and significance.World Cities Day 2024 Overview
World Cities Day 2024 is special as it marks the 10th anniversary of this global event dedicated to promoting sustainable urbanization. Launched by the United Nations in 2014, this day emphasizes improving urban living conditions, promoting sustainability, and increasing cooperation among cities across the world. Here is an overview of World Cities Day 2024:| World Cities Day 2024 Overview | |
| Particular | Details |
| Date | October 31, 2024 |
| Inception | First observed in 2014 (10th Anniversary in 2024) |
| Founder | United Nations |
| History | Established by UN resolution on December 27, 2013 |
| Objectives |
|
| Slogan | Better City, Better Life |
| Theme | Youth leading climate and local action for cities |
| Activities | Seminars, lectures, conferences, educational programs, and social media campaigns with an annual theme. |
World Cities Day History
In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated October 31 as World Cities Day through its resolution 68/239 . It was first celebrated in 2014 in response to the growing challenges of rapid urbanization worldwide. World Cities Day is part of a larger initiative known as Urban October , which starts with World Habitat Day on the first Monday of October. The need for this observance arises from the fact tha t more than half of the world’s population now lives in urban areas. This rapid urbanization has brought both opportunities and challenges, particularly in developing countries like India. World Cities Day initiates a global conversation on how to make cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable for all.What is Urban October?
The United Nations forecasts that the urban population will likely rise to 68% by 2050. However, many cities continue to face issues like inequality, inadequate housing, and limited access to essential services. To highlight these challenges and promote sustainable urban development, UN-Habitat initiated Urban October . Urban October starts with World Habitat Day (observed on the first Monday of October) and ends with World Cities Day on October 31 . During this month, various activities and discussions are held globally to promote a better understanding of how urbanization can be managed for the benefit of all.World Cities Day 2024 Theme
The theme plays an important role in guiding discussions, events, and policies worldwide. The theme for World Cities Day 2024 is “Youth leading climate and local action for cities," according to UN-Habitat. This theme emphasizes the steps that young people can take to address urban challenges related to climate change and sustainability. In previous years, the themes have focused on topics such as “Financing Sustainable Urban Future for All” (2023) and “Act Local to Go Global” (2022).| Attempt UPSC Mains PYQ: “The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues of employment, but has also created new problems”. Substantiate this statement with examples. (GS 1 Paper 2017) |
World Cities Day 2024 Significance
Cities are the engines of economic growth, culture, and innovation. However, they also face challenges such as pollution, housing shortages, and inadequate infrastructure. The World Cities Day aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 11 : “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.” The significance of this day lies in its ability to draw global attention to the importance of urbanization. World Cities Day 2024 is important because it aims to:- Promote sustainable urban development: The day stresses the need for cities to be environmentally sustainable and economically inclusive.
- Raise awareness of urban challenges: This day highlights issues such as inequality, inadequate housing, and transportation difficulties that many urban areas face, prompting discussions on potential solutions.
- Enhance global cooperation: World Cities Day fosters international cooperation among cities, which is critical for tackling global challenges like climate change and migration.
- Inspire action: By showcasing successful initiatives and programs, the day motivates all to take concrete steps towards improving urban living conditions and creating more resilient cities.
Urbanisation in India
According to the UN World Urbanization Prospects 2018, India’s urban population is projected to reach 50% by 2050, up from 31% in 2011. In India, increasing urbanization is both a challenge and an opportunity. Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru are global economic hubs, yet they suffer from issues like slums, pollution, and inadequate public services. Some common challenges in managing rapid urbanization in India include:- Housing shortages: Around 17.3% of the population (census 2011) live in slums without access to basic services.
- Pollution: Air and water pollution levels in Indian cities are alarmingly high as evident in the AQI of Delhi NCR during winters.
- Uneven urbanization: States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh lag behind urban leaders like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, complicating uniform urban planning.
- Lack of Planning: About 50% of India’s statutory towns lack master plans, which guide their growth and infrastructure (NITI Aayog Report).
- Public Health: Poor sanitation, inadequate healthcare facilities, and high pollution levels make it difficult to ensure a good quality of life in urban areas.
- Infrastructure strain: Existing infrastructure, such as roads, waste management, and electricity, struggles to keep up with the growing urban population, leading to reduced service quality.
- Inequality of living standards: Urban areas often have clear differences in wealth, with wealthy neighborhoods right next to impoverished slums.
Urban Transformation Strategies
The government has brought several initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission (2015), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), etc. to promote urban development. Now, to tackle the challenges of urbanization, the Union Budget 2024-25 focuses on improving housing, city planning, water supply, sanitation, and support for street vendors. Here are the key strategies for urban transformation:- Urban Housing: The budget allocates funds for three crore new houses under the PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) to help urban and rural populations, with a focus on 1 crore urban poor and middle-class families.
- Rental Housing : The budget highlighted dormitory-style accommodations for industrial workers through public-private partnerships.
- Transit-Oriented Development: Plans for 14 large cities will focus on better public transport and infrastructure.
- Water and Sanitation: Projects for water supply and waste management will be launched in 100 large cities.
- Infrastructure Investment: A significant investment of ₹11.11 lakh crore is set for infrastructure, including highways and urban projects.
- National Urban Digital Mission: This initiative will digitize property and tax records to help urban local bodies manage finances better.
- Sustainable Development: The budget supports renewable energy projects and initiatives for climate-resilient infrastructure, like electric public transport and green spaces.
World Cities Day 2024 FAQs
What is the theme of World Cities Day 2024?
The theme for World Cities Day 2024 is “Youth Leading Climate and Local Action for Cities”.
Why is World Cities Day celebrated?
World Cities Day is celebrated to promote global awareness of sustainable urban development and address urbanization challenges.
What are the key challenges of urbanization in India?
Key challenges of urbanization in India include housing shortages, pollution, inadequate infrastructure, and traffic congestion.
What initiatives has India taken to address urbanization?
India has launched initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) to address urban issues.
What is the significance of Urban October?
Urban October promotes discussions on urban development and sustainability through a series of global events.
What is Urban October?
Urban October is a month-long initiative focused on raising awareness about urban sustainability, leading up to World Cities Day on October 31.
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