By Eugene T. Lowe
September 17, 2012

More than 7,000 participants attended the sixth World Urban Forum (WUF) in Naples, Italy September 2-6 to discuss issues of urbanization in many parts of the world. Heidi Crebo-Rediker, Chief Economist of the U.S. Department of State, served as Head of the U.S. Delegation of 40 people that included representatives of the U.S. government, advisors and representatives of local and regional governments, the private sector, and other organizations. North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays and Eugene Lowe, Assistant Executive Director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, were part of the U.S. Delegation.

The World Urban Forum consisted of a range of dialogues, meetings and discussions around the theme of “The Urban Future.” One meeting was the “Mayor’s Roundtable – Local Leadership in Planning and Managing Future Cities.” During the session, mayors from around the world shared strategies on how they are bringing their cities to embrace the urban future. Issues discussed in the session included participatory planning, urban environmental resilience, and urban economic productivity. Some of the mayors who spoke included: Toulouse, France Mayor Pierre Cohen; Nanjing, China Deputy Mayor Lu Ping; and Naples, Italy Mayor Luigi de Magistris.

Dialogues were the principal vehicles to discuss and debate the key theme: The Urban Future. These included: Dialogue 1 – The Shape of Cities: Urban Planning, Institutions, Regulations For Better Quality of Life; Dialogue 2 – Equity and Prosperity: Distribution of Wealth and Opportunities; Dialogue 3 – Productive Cities: Urban Job Creation; and Dialogue 4 – Urban Mobility, Energy and Environment. As an example of what comes out of such a discussion, Dialogue Two focused on the multi-dimensionality of equity and its impact on urban development. A summary of the proceedings said, “A clear thread throughout the dialogue was recognition that never before in human history has humanity seen such a rapid increase in wealth. This is due to the role of cities. This wealth has contributed to the expansion of middle class, and the urban advantage – cities providing many opportunities, such as the fields of health and education. So while cities and countries are becoming more prosperous, this growth has not been shared equitably. This is particularly the case in terms of access to basic services, such as housing.”

To remedy the issue of housing for world urban places, the summary states, “ A new paradigm in housing was seen to be required, and such a new paradigm should be underpinned by right to adequate housing as defined in international accords and instruments. A central strategy to reach the goal of equitable and prosperous cities and adequate housing for all should be to strengthen the involvement of all actors in urban development processes, particularly women and the poor and marginalized, and to build the capacity of governments and local authorities to reduce inequalities and create just cities for all.”

In his keynote address at the opening ceremonies to the sixth World Urban Forum, Dr. Joan Clos, former mayor of Barcelona and now Under'secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Habitat emphasized that, “The world is fast becoming predominantly urban, and relentlessly so. At the beginning of the 19th century, only two percent of the world’s population was urban. By the beginning of the 20th century, the percentage had increased to ten. As you all know, the world’s population living in urban areas reached 50 percent during the first decade of the 21st century.”

During his keynote address, Clos said of mayors, “My special thanks go to mayors and representatives of local authorities who have honored us with your presence. Your support of the conclusions and recommendations of this Sixth Session of the World Urban Forum will be crucial to the realization of a prosperous urban future.”

United States Consul General Donald L. Moore invited the U.S. Delegation to the American Consulate after the conclusion of the World Urban Forum meetings on September 4 for a reception. Throughout the week of meetings, the staff of the American Consulate General provided logistical support to the U.S. Delegation.

Medellin, Columbia will host the Seventh Session of the World Urban Forum in 2014.