Introduction H. E. Ertugrul Apakan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations Today, people living in urban areas exceed half of the world's population. By the year 2050, it is estimated that this rate would almost reach to 70 per cent. This rapid growth of urban population has as a global issue. Wise city thus caused “sustainable urbanization” emerge planning and viable design of infrastructure are not only vital for addressing economic and social problems at the local level, but also essential for tackling the wider issues such as climate change, land degradation and pollution. Cities have naturally become the main drivers of the global economic activity with their geographical concentration of people, infrastructure, knowledge, and resources. The largest one hundred urban areas, in other words the megacities, are estimated to have a contribution about 30 per cent to the global GDP. However, urban populations exert more pressure on natural resources. Unsustainable production and consumption patterns create polluted environment which negatively affects health and quality of life. They also have implications on protected areas and biodiversity. Slums are one of the most challenging aspects of urbanization. Poor living conditions, poverty, unemployment and land insecurity are among the many problems arising due to the slums. In this context, pursuing policies is of crucial importance. Building “sustainable urbanization” environmentally sustainable, socially responsible and economically productive cities needs to be promoted for viable urban areas for citizens from all economic backgrounds.
Introduction H. E. Ertugrul Apakan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations Today, people living in urban areas exceed half of the world's population. By the year 2050, it is estimated that this rate would almost reach to 70 per cent. This rapid growth of urban population has thus caused “sustainable urbanization” emerge as a global issue. Wise city planning and viable design of infrastructure are not only vital for addressing economic and social problems at the local level, but also essential for tackling the wider issues such as climate change, land degradation and pollution. Cities have naturally become the main drivers of the global economic activity with their geographical concentration of people, infrastructure, knowledge, and resources. The largest one hundred urban areas, in other words the megacities, are estimated to have a contribution about 30 per cent to the global GDP. However, urban populations exert more pressure on natural resources. Unsustainable production and consumption patterns create polluted environment which negatively affects health and quality of life. They also have implications on protected areas and biodiversity. Slums are one of the most challenging aspects of urbanization. Poor living conditions, poverty, unemployment and land insecurity are among the many problems arising due to the slums. In this context, pursuing “sustainable urbanization” policies is of crucial importance. Building environmentally sustainable, socially responsible and economically productive cities needs to be promoted for viable urban areas for citizens from all economic backgrounds.