City and Ecology

Planetary health and human health are intricately linked to each other. Now some 56% of world’s population lives in cities, generating 70% global waste and 70% greenhouse gas emissions, as well as 70% global GDP. By 2050, 68% of the global population is projected to live in urban areas. A starting point to look at the health risk pathways is the city and its relationship with the environment, an approch reflecting our Compact for One Health and One Planet.

Healthy Cities Initiative

Responding to the vision of the New Urban Agenda espoused by UN HABITAT and “Health as the Pulse of the New Urban Agenda” by WHO at the HABITAT III, T’ECH DP promotes the Healthy Cities Initiative. The Healthy Cities Initiative will explore the basic concepts and principles for building healthy cities from developmental, ecological, social and cultural perspectives, and will apply those principles to real “city-building” projects that will be undertaken in places around the world by T’ECH DP and its partners.

Here is a highlight of the Healthy Cities Workshop at the UNHQ organized under a partnership entity the Human Health Organization.

Creative Cities and Creative Economy

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) promotes cooperation among cities that recognize creativity as a strategic driver for sustainable urban development. The network brings together cities across seven creative fields—Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music—to place culture and creative industries at the heart of their local development plans while actively cooperating internationally.

By sharing best practices, fostering innovation, and strengthening participation in cultural life, member cities work collectively toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to build inclusive, resilient, and vibrant urban centers.

Circular Economy and One Planet Solutions

A key concept for reducing human burdens on the ecosystem is the circular economy, embodied in a framework of three principles: eliminating waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. On the city or metropolitan level, circular economy focuses on renewable energy, and reusable and eco-friendly materials, accelerated by digital technologies. At the same time, on the individual level, many lifestyle choices could contribute to the environmental health as well as human health.

In this regard, we support the One Planet Network as hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which drives the global transition toward a circular and resource-efficient economy for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12), . Ultimately, the One Planet Network aims to ensure sustainable resource use and promoting a healthier planet for future generations.

Global Multi-stakeholder Partnerships

The initiative and program will engage sustainable development thought leaders from the United Nations System and the academic circles, will incorporate cutting edge design concepts worldwide, and will tap into funds and capital that are geared towards generating meaningful social and ecological impacts as well as economic results.