World Day spotlights role of technology and youth in building sustainable cities

Over half of the world's population now live in cities, with numbers expected to double by 2050, but while urbanization poses serious challenges, cities can also be powerhouses for sustainable development; something the UN is spotlighting on World Cities Day, marked 31 October.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will host a celebration at its Paris Headquarters on Thursday, convening representatives from all corners of the world for discussions on how cities can combat the climate crisis, create more inclusive urban spaces, and contribute to technical innovation.

Cities provide a wealth of opportunities, jobs included, and generate over 80 percent of gross national product across the globe, according to UN estimates. Urban areas also account for between 60 and 80 percent of all energy consumption, despite only occupying three percent of the planet's surface and are responsible for three-quarters of all greenhouse gas emissions.

In addressing these pros and cons, the Organisation has advocated for a "people-centered" development model and aims to "re-humanize cities" in the face of trends impacting them, from population growth, demographic shifts, and increasing the risk of disasters induced by climate change.

This year's theme: "Changing the world: innovations and a better life for future generations" spotlights the role of technology and young people in building sustainable cities. To do so, Thursday's commemorative event will be organized along with four key discussion themes: 'Cities 4 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)', 'Cities 4 Climate Action', 'Cities 4 Communities', and 'Cities 4 the Future'.

In line with its multidisciplinary mandate, UNESCO's 2004 Creative Cities Network continues to harness the various ways cities spanning the globe are placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans.

From gastronomy in Tucson, Arizona, to design in Nagoya, Japan, the network engages 180 cities in total, which integrate creative approaches in their development plans. See the complete list of cities and their creative undertakings here.

For World Cities Day this year, UNESCO is partnering with the UN"s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), UN-Habitat, and refugee agency (UNHCR) to amplify the concerted action of the United Nations for cities alongside their planners and other urban players.

The UN-proclaimed World Day serves as a call for States, municipalities and city dwellers to work together for transformative change and sustainable strategies for cities, as urbanization continues to swell.