Cities are growing fast. Half the world’s population already lives in urban areas and another 2.5 billion are expected to be living in cities by 2050. In 2015, the international community set the goal of making cities “inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” by 2030 (Sustainable Development Goal 11). Many cities are already well down the road of thinking about how to transform themselves, piloting projects that aim to make life greener and safer, more sustainable and happier. They have a decade to deliver.
As the world gets back on its feet after the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are going to need to think differently about how we solve some of the major problems facing the planet. How we will recover from its effects will depend, in large part, upon the vision of cities.
In a new podcast series, “URBAN Matters”, produced in partnership with UNTV News and Radio in Geneva, UNECE will explore with mayors and urban experts how cities are rising to the challenge, and how they can join forces to share ideas and address city challenges related to the pandemic.
In the first episode released today, find out about cities’ role in global efforts to tackle poverty and climate change, and why the UN convened a “Forum of Mayors” in Geneva in October 2020.
Tune in to URBAN Matters on your regular podcast platform every Wednesday.
The podcast is available in English at:
- Podbean: https://urbanmatters.podbean.com/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5H0ZXUC9ToujQnHxQ7SEiM
- Coming soon on Apple & Google Podcasts