UN statistics indicate that youth comprise up to 30% of the world's population. As almost one-third of humanity, youth deserve to actively participate in debates which will influence the future of their world. Accordingly, a large group of youth has been working with the Habitat II Secretariat, governments, and nongovernmental organizations to create channels for youth participation and involvement in Habitat II. Youth can also bring a great deal more to the Habitat process than just sheer numbers, both now and in the future. Their energy, commitment, and ability to do much with few resources can bring vitality to the process of creating and implementing the Habitat Agenda and Global Plan of Action. Youth bring unique perspectives which need to be taken into account. The key youth issues in need of action of Habitat II include sustainable approaches to the environment, including education; children and adolescents living in poverty; the provision of adequate shelter; employment opportunities; and access to resources, especially for rural youth. A lack of access among adolescents to essential resources such as shelter, education, and employment can prevent youth from developing into contributing members of society. Youth participants at the Istanbul conference are expected to make a commitment to taking responsibility for their own development, fostering youth awareness, and becoming involved in the implementation of Habitat II.
In 1994, the Super Coalition on Women, Homes, and Community was formed from four worldwide networks so that women working on community development could be involved in Habitat II planning and could incorporate human settlement issues into the Fourth World Conference on Women (WCW) and it attendant NGO (nongovernmental organization) Forum. The Super Coalition paved the way for grassroots women to contribute ideas to the Preparatory Committee for Habitat II. When the women discovered that many of the gains achieved at the WCW were not reflected in the Habitat agenda, they drafted amendments that were later discussed by official bodies. The women also lobbied delegations and governmental groups on gender issues and found that many of their concerns were included in bracketed paragraphs for further consideration during Habitat II. Another success occurred when the Secretary-General of Habitat II appointed many women to the newly-created Huairou Commission, which will offer advice on gender issues and highlight women's concerns during Habitat II.
This article discusses the links between poverty, development, the environment, and implementing Agenda 21. The poor in large cities experience greater health risks and threats from environmental hazards. The poor also face inadequate housing, poor sanitation, polluted drinking water, and lack of other basic services. Many poor live in marginalized areas more susceptible to environmental degradation. During 1990-2030, population size may reach 9.7 billion, or 3.7 billion more than today. 90% may be urban residents. Already a large proportion of urban population live in a decaying urban environment with health and life threatening conditions. At least 250 million do not have easy access to safe piped water. 400 million lack proper sanitation. The liberalization of the global economy is fueling urbanization. The cycle of poverty and environmental decline requires rapid economic growth and closing of the infrastructure gaps. Policy initiatives of Agenda 21 occur at the local urban level. At this level, policies directly affect people. The future success of Agenda 21 will depend on local initiatives. Management approaches may need to change in order to achieve sustainable development. The poor will be more vocal and heard from in the future. Critical areas of management include waste management, pollution control, traffic, transportation, energy, economic development, and job creation. Society must be able to participate in setting priorities. About 1500 local authorities are involved in Agenda 21 planning initiatives. Curitiba, Brazil, is an example of how cities can solve community problems.
This case study by the Mayor of Accra, Ghana, discusses urban growth and government efforts at city management of education, town councils, the environment, health, and business. Accra struggles to balance city population growth with infrastructure and services. Suburbs are formed daily. The central Municipal Authority is creating a new system of government that aims to include a broad segment of the population. Departments and agencies have been decentralized. Sub-metro governments were created with town councils as the governing bodies. Town councils are elected by the residents and are comprised of unit committees, which are formed from one or two neighborhoods. Each level of government sends representatives to the next level of government. The neighborhoods are in charge of environmental management. Public tribunals are oversight bodies that adjudicate violations of municipal by-laws. The Health Department has new equipment and vehicles, detects sanitation violations, and participates in the arraignment of violators before tribunals. Health inspectors are encouraged to live in the communities that they supervise and to participate in community activities. The city is investing in education. The city has subcontracted with a mass media firm to produce a package of films on topical events that will be taken to densely populated areas for informing the community about city affairs. The city encourages private business development.
This article discusses the relationship between human settlements and the water cycle. Water is a finite resource that supports daily human life, is required for food production, and is necessary for waste removal. Water quality has declined under the strains of increasing population and pollution. Human survival depends upon reducing risks and safeguarding water supplies that are crucial to survival. Contaminated water supplies lead to sickness and death. Maintaining urban water quality means maintaining the water supply system. High internal pipe pressure means leakage to the outside. When water systems are partially full, the internal pipe pressure lowers and creates susceptibility to in-leakage. If cracked sewage pipes lie in contaminated areas, the risk of waterborne diseases is increased. Groundwater is the main source of water in many dry climates. Demand for water can outstrip the supply of groundwater. Poor soil management and mismanagement of irrigation systems may result in waterlogging and salinization. The global water cycle replenishes the supply in the ground. Water is lost through evaporation and in biomass production and is returned through rainfall. Surplus water collects in aquifers and rivers. Sustainable development requires thinking about what can be changed including types of governments, technical solutions, citizen education, lifestyles, and expectations. Flexibility and cooperation between sectors is important for successful management of water resources. Many communities are developing Local Government Action Plans, as called for in the 1992 Rio Earth Summit's Local Agenda 21, Chapter 28.
