1. What would a new urban ethos be?
A new urban ethos should realise the linkage between rural and urban issues. We just entered the urban millennium. Despite the rural concerns of the last century, urban issues and problems have dominated the human life. With the shift to an urbanizing world, human challenges have immensely increased. More recently, we realized that urban development is linked with rural potentials. The last few decades dwelt on urban development without directly ignoring rural issues. We failed to
ensure rural development because we remained largely anti-urban. Cities that can adjust to modern changes without giving away the traditional virtues could respond to the urban challenge. We should recognize that cities would no longer be for the few. They have to be increasingly inclusive. This century will see cities becoming more competitive. Urban governance will become more and more difficult. Residents will have to spend more time, money and efforts to get the minimum services and amenities. There is increasing threat of insecurity and crimes. An increasing number of the city residents would have nostalgic feelings for the rural virtue. Liveability of our cities will depend on their “ruralness”. People will crave to be nearer to nature. Cities would be encouraged to have more and more rural elements. More liveable spaces would be required. Good governance, access to all, and peaceful environment would be the urban ethos. It will be necessary to redefine what is urban.
2. What are major obstacles in making the global transition to an urban ethos?
The concept of ecological footprints has underpinned the need of rural areas for sustainable cities. When will urban consumers realize the ecological footprints of their way of life? When will urban governance be prepared to realize the environmental costs of urban ways of life? Hastening to an urban world would ignore the balance between rural and urban areas. This will increase environmental problems like solid waste management and air pollution in cities. It has become difficult to enhance our ability to use land with rural and urban characteristics in a balanced way. In the recent past obsession towards cities raised standards and hence costs. Behavioral changes became difficult. Cities ceased to be manageable or viable.
3. What should the role of the United Nations be in the process of transition?
Develop an integrative system
The transition is a change in the pattern and style of development. Urban style as perceived in the last century is not a sustainable style. UNCHS should help the global community to redefine this style to make it sustainable. An integrated system should be developed where cities would be supported by the hinterland they serve. It can help member countries to identify city regions and encourage their development. They should aim at increasing the total carrying capacity on a sustainable manner. It can also help them establish good governance at the level of identified regions. And the goal should be equitable access of all to urban amenities and regional resources.
Jibgar Joshi