SIEMENS

What features make a city worth living in and sustainable?

Clos: A liveable city is one that is well planned and has as a priority the quality of life of its citizens. This includes basic services such as water and electricity but also extends to effective transport and communication networks that encourage efficient economic transactions, productivity, jobs, and wealth. The importance of public space cannot be underestimated. It enables cultural interaction and social expansion. To make a city worth living in and sustainable there are three important things; planning, planning and planning!

In 2050, almost 6.5 billion people — as many as live on earth today — will be living in cities. What should cities be doing to head off major problems?

Clos: Cities are creators of wealth and can drive national economies. We should exploit this fact. The highest rates of urbanization are in Africa, Asia, and South America. These areas also have very young populations. Up to 60 percent of the population of some African cities is under the age of 35, and these people are all looking for work. One of the main problems is job creation. Another is urban growth. Only with strong urban policy can a government manage the latter. Of course resources are always a challenge, but refusal to address questions of water and sanitation provision, transport and housing will lead to more people living in slums, not fewer.

What can companies like Siemens do to help improve urban planning and living conditions?

Clos: New technology opens up new opportunities with regard to greener building and transport systems. Private companies are well placed to help in this process if the conditions in a city are right for investment. Where it can, UN-HABITAT works with companies such as Siemens to create a cohesive approach to urban development. Siemens is, among others, a member of our World Urban Campaign, working with UN-HABITAT to promote sustainable urban development around the world.

Can cities combine rapid population growth with reduced environmental damage, even as their standard of living improves?

Clos: The green economy provides a range of opportunities for businesses that have not yet been fully explored. Policies that are environmentally sound also make excellent business sense. For example, a compact city area with good transport and communication links not only reduces the greenhouse gas emissions of its residents but also allows business transactions to be conducted quickly and efficiently. Sustainable development by definition should integrate environmental concerns and link them strongly to economic development.

Dharavi in Mumbai is considered to be Asia’s biggest slum. People there are founding small enterprises to make a living. They want to improve their lives and those of their children. How can such people participate in a dialogue about future cities?

Clos: In India and South Africa slum dwellers have created their own associations. There is thus clearly a need for social and political recognition here. During the last two decades, slum dweller associations in India have engaged in a dialogue about the present state and future of India’s cities. UN-HABITAT has found that micro credits promote both economic development and political inclusion. As well as mobilizing the productive capacities of the poor, micro-credits also help to disseminate local knowledge to networks and contribute to the recognition of associations as social, economic, and political stakeholders.

Could India become an urban development role model for megacities in the 21st century?

Clos: India has two cities with more than 20 million inhabitants and one with more than ten million. These large cities are merging with other smaller cities to create urban settlements on a massive scale. There is no doubt that these huge conurbations are powerful new engines that will drive global economic activity. They are also creating a new urban hierarchy. The scope, range, and complexity of issues involved in these large economic regions require innovative coordination mechanisms for urban management and governance. In order to become a role model, India must start to respond to these coordination challenges.

What are your expectations and wishes from meetings such as Future Dialogue, which is taking place in New Delhi this year?

Clos: UN-HABITAT has a wealth of knowledge and expertise when it comes to urban practices. However, the responsibility for city development ultimately falls to city authorities. And they, in turn, cannot succeed without the support of the private sector and society in general. No one agent in the process will succeed alone. Meetings such as Future Dialogue enable everyone involved to come together to discuss and share best practices. At the same time they play an important role in keeping urban development on the world agenda.

The people attending Future Dialogue are scientists, economists, and politicians. How can the people living in megacities be integrated?

Clos: Community participation is very important when it comes to planning and implementing urban development. One of UN-HABITAT’s strengths is its field work, which is performed by local partners, such as community initiatives and NGOs. The ability to involve people face to face in urban development must not be underestimated, even though social media and the Internet have brought many changes that will continue to be important in coming years.

What’s your vision of future cities. What will cities look alike in 2050?

Clos: I am optimistic about the future because I believe there is a genuine will to positively shape urbanization. For too long, urbanization has been seen as something negative — something that should be slowed down or even stopped. But this is impossible. Now people are starting to recognize the city as a positive force for change that will help us address climate change and promote socio-economic development. With proper planning we can ensure a bright urban future.