(ANSAmed) - NAPLES, JUNE 12 - ''A global view on urban
transformation will start in Naples in September this year, in a
period of the fastest urbanisation in history: in the next 20-25
years 60% of the world population will live in cities, thanks to
the enormous urbanisation in progress in countries like China,
India and Brazil.'' So said Juan Clos, undersecretary of the
United Nations and executive director of UN-Habitat, at the
presentation of the sixth World Urban Forum.
The event will be held in Naples from September 2 to 7, at
Mostra d'Oltremare. The Forum is organised by the United Nations
Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), which has its
headquarters in Nairobi and aims to promote sustainable cities
from a social and environmental point of view. In Naples, more
than 5000 delegates from 114 countries worldwide will discuss
the evolution of urbanisation and will try to answer the
question how to move this development towards a sustainable
future. The main theme will be ''The Future of Cities'', divided
in four more specific topics: urban planning: institutions,
legislation and quality of life; equity and prosperity in
cities: distribution of wealth and opportunities; city
productivity: innovative and competitive cities and urban
mobility, energy and environment.
A total of 120 networking events have been planned around these main sessions, as well as 12 round tables, 20 workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions open for the public. ''We will be able to form a joint vision of future cities through the meetings and debates planned in Naples,'' said the president of the Campania Region, Stefano Caldoro. Caldoro underlined that in a time of international economic crisis ''it is necessary to develop clear ideas, feasible proposals that focus on social services.'' Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Staffan de Mistura also mentioned the crisis and said that ''the best decision would have been to cancel the World Urban Forum, because it is difficult to explained to people in Naples that 3.5 million euros will be spent to hold these meetings. But then the costs came down to 1.2 million, which are spent well and will bring five to seven thousand people to the city from across the world, so that should make it worthwhile. We must be realistic, the forum is only held because the budget has been cut drastically.'' The mayor of Naples, Luigi De Magistris, is proud that the Forum is held in the city. ''The Forum,'' he explained, ''is a great challenge for us. It makes Naples part of the debate on the future of urbanisation. We are highly interested in this topic, because Naples is on its way to become a sustainable city, putting people at the centre.'' The World Urban Forum will leave tangible evidence of the event in Naples, because the Forum finances an urban redevelopment project: a cultural centre will be set up in Piazza Mercato with art and crafts workshops for young people.
The project is an initiative of the Culture Councillorship of the Municipality of Naples. (ANSAmed).
A total of 120 networking events have been planned around these main sessions, as well as 12 round tables, 20 workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions open for the public. ''We will be able to form a joint vision of future cities through the meetings and debates planned in Naples,'' said the president of the Campania Region, Stefano Caldoro. Caldoro underlined that in a time of international economic crisis ''it is necessary to develop clear ideas, feasible proposals that focus on social services.'' Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Staffan de Mistura also mentioned the crisis and said that ''the best decision would have been to cancel the World Urban Forum, because it is difficult to explained to people in Naples that 3.5 million euros will be spent to hold these meetings. But then the costs came down to 1.2 million, which are spent well and will bring five to seven thousand people to the city from across the world, so that should make it worthwhile. We must be realistic, the forum is only held because the budget has been cut drastically.'' The mayor of Naples, Luigi De Magistris, is proud that the Forum is held in the city. ''The Forum,'' he explained, ''is a great challenge for us. It makes Naples part of the debate on the future of urbanisation. We are highly interested in this topic, because Naples is on its way to become a sustainable city, putting people at the centre.'' The World Urban Forum will leave tangible evidence of the event in Naples, because the Forum finances an urban redevelopment project: a cultural centre will be set up in Piazza Mercato with art and crafts workshops for young people.
The project is an initiative of the Culture Councillorship of the Municipality of Naples. (ANSAmed).
