By Eugene T. Lowe
April 19, 2010

Some 21,000 people registered for the fifth session of the World Urban Forum in Rio de Janeiro-Brazil during the week of March 22 – 26. The theme of the meeting was “The Right to the City: Bridging the Urban Divide.” Touted as being one of the most inclusive international gatherings, the forum brought together government leaders, ministers, mayors, diplomats, members of national, regional and international associations of local governments, non-governmental and community organizations, professionals, academics, grassroots women organizations, youth and slum dwellers. All attended to participate in dialogues and debate at main plenary and networking events (workshops) that addressed the critical urban problems of the world today. According to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, with over half the world’s population now living in cities, and cities making a disproportionate contribution to climate change, urbanization is one of the “crucial agendas” of our time.

The World Urban Forum was organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, which is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly “to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.” Anna Tibaijuka, Under'secretary General of the United Nations, is the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT. The first World Urban Forum was held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2002, and then in Barcelona in 2004, Vancouver in 2006, and Nanjing in 2008.

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan led the United States delegation that included HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims, and Assistant Secretaries Mercedes Marquez (Community Planning and Development), Raphael Bostic (Policy Development and Research), and John Trasvina (Fair Housing). White House Office of Urban Affairs Director Adolfo Carrion and Special Assistant to the President on Urban Policy Derek Douglas represented the White House. North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays, National League of Cities (NLC) President Riverside (CA) Mayor Ron Loveridge, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Official (NAHRO) Chief Executive Officer Saul Ramirez and National Building Museum President and Executive Director Chase Rynd were some of the other members of the United States delegation. At least 500 people from the United States attended the forum.

HUD Secretary Donovan told the large international audience during the opening ceremony March 22 that he was “honored to lead the U.S. delegation to the World Urban Forum … to discuss how we can work together to lift the standard of living for billions of people, promote democracy and human rights, and enhance global health, food security and energy efficiency. I believe this forum offers three key opportunities for partnership with our nation – to build our communities more sustainability, to restore security to our housing markets, and to embed innovative and sustainable approaches into the way we plan for disaster.”

President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed the participants, saying, “Our country is open to good practices from elsewhere and we invite you to visit our cities and let us learn from your experiences.” Tibaijuka in her opening remarks said that only partnerships could work toward a sustainable urban future. “One cannot do it alone. Governments cannot do it alone. Cities, big business and civil society cannot do it alone. We need clear and coherent partnerships and commitments,” she stated. Other speakers at the opening ceremony included the President of Uganda Yoweri Musevendi, Third Vice President of Spain Manuel Chavez Gonzalez, Vice President of the Philippines Noli de Casiro, Rio de Janerio Mayor Eduardo Paes, and Governor of Rio Sergio Cabral.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the U.S. Green Building Council held a workshop March 23, titled “Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection: Challenging Our Assumptions.” HUD Chief of Staff Laurel Blatchford moderated the session. Hays presented an overview of the global importance of cities in addressing climate change. Hays described many of the efforts of his city in energy conservation. “The results have been outstanding and can be duplicated in other cities,” Hays said. Casius Pealer of the US Green Building Council talked about the need for and value of metrics and measurement in addressing climate change. Felipe Augusto Faria, Operational and Legal Manager of Green Building Council, Brazil, described the innovative climate change projects and policies and ongoing challenges across Brazil. He also explained the process and benefits of establishing a national Green Building Council. Cristina Mendonca, Director of the Clinton Climate Initative in Rio de Janeiro, described some of the climate protection innovative projects and policies and ongoing challenges in Rio de Janeiro. She also talked about efforts to institutionalize sustainability in local government.

The National League of Cities also held a workshop titled “Building Sustainable Cities as Centers of Diversity, Inclusivity, and Innovation.” The workshop focused on the “importance of social inclusion and equity in building sustainable cities.” There was also a Mayors’ Roundtable that focused on how social inclusion and urban infrastructure can improve access and promote inclusive cities, taking into account the needs of all different urban actors. More than 200 people attended the session where mayors from around the world discussed challenges and issues unique to their cities. Sonoma County (CA) Board of Supervisor and President of the National Association of Counties (NACo) represented the United States at the Mayors’ Roundtable. She described the public policy issues of Sonoma County where traffic congestion is a major problem. “We are constantly trying to move people around more efficiently,” she said, while keeping sustainability in mind. “We must build a sustainable infrastructure,” Brown said.