Manila, November 17 2011 — UN-Habitat showcased its various initiatives on sustainable cities and communities last November 15 – 17, 2011, as part of its participation in the Asian Urban Forum held at the Asian Development Bank. The forum, entitled “Financing Future Cities”, aimed to enhance the awareness of local governments, financing institutions, private sectors and the academe on current financing schemes that support green, competitive and inclusive cities. Exhibits featured by various organizations working in the Asia Pacific region featured various efforts and projects related to socio-economic and green initiatives and technologies in communities and city levels.
UN-Habitat showcased the Cities and Climate Change Initiatives (CCCI) piloted in the Philippines in partnership with the local government of Sorsogon City. CCCI projects were conceptualized, planned and implemented with the active participation and collaboration of representatives from the local government, national government agencies, academe, NGOs and community representatives of five most disaster vulnerable communities in the city. Featured were local shelter planning, land use and development planning, livelihoods, house retrofitting and designing schools mitigating and adapting risks and threats (SMART schools). Climate sensitivity and disaster risk management were highly considered in these initiatives. Visitors to the exhibit eagerly got copies of the brochures distributed. At the exhibit, shown were images of the various demonstration projects and activities conducted at the city and community level.
Forum participants from Asia and the Pacific and Western countries appreciated the collaborative and multi-stakeholder participation during the cities and climate change initiatives, the creative awareness building activities at various levels of the local government unit and the community-based pilot applications by executing real projects. They look forward to learning more about UN-Habitat and its climate change initiatives in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region.
