High-level Policy Dialogue: Enhancing Urban Governance Practices for Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Cities in Asia-Pacific
September 30, 2024
Credit: Ragnar Vorel
Event Overview
Date: Tuesday, 15 October 2024
Time: 08:30-13:00
Location: Conference Room 4, United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Bangkok
Contact: Ms Diana Torres, diana.torres@undp.org
15 October 2024, Bangkok
Background
The challenging scale of urban expansion projected for the Asia-Pacific region in the next three decades also presents a unique opportunity. The Asia-Pacific region is home to 54 percent of the world’s urban population. The United Nations estimates that by 2050, this proportion will increase by 20%, expanding the region’s urban population from 2.3 billion to 3.5 billion people. Rapid urbanization, climate change, and governance challenges underscore the urgent need for renewed urban governance approaches to build resilient, equitable, and future-ready cities.
15 October 2024, Bangkok
Background
A well-designed city vision today can have a profound and lasting impact on the quality of life for future generations. It can mitigate the risks and effects of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A shared vision of the urban future, with people at its core, can expand socio-economic opportunities for all, particularly the poor and vulnerable, and help prevent the perpetuation of structural inequality, discrimination, and environmental degradation.
15 October 2024, Bangkok
Background
By leveraging experiences from across the region, the dialogue seeks to inspire governance practices in the Asia-Pacific region and emphasize the pivotal role of leadership and adaptive urban governance models in catalyzing urban transformation and increasing public confidence in governments. Additionally, it aims to foster multilevel governance and partnerships among different spheres of government, the international community, and other stakeholders toward closing the gap in SDG implementation.
Objectives
This dialogue is designed to inspire new thinking and foster political commitment among a select group of influential city leaders. It aims to enable inter-municipal collaboration and knowledge sharing to support a common vision of future urban development based on innovative advancements in the region, as well as generate policy recommendations with city leaders in the region to boost leadership and governance capabilities to drive urban transformation in the region.
Based on successful experiences in Asia, the dialogue will inform a joint policy brief that reflects on:
Leadership for Renewed Urban Governance Models and Innovations: Identifying strategies and practices that drive accelerated urban transformation, emphasizing the role of leadership (anticipatory, adaptive, and agile) in co-creating a shared vision to build resilient, equitable, and sustainable cities.
Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration: Inclusive, greener, and more resilient cities are built through collaboration among citizens, the private sector, academia, and governments. Governments alone cannot drive the scale of transformation needed. Urban challenges are complex and require adaptability and agility. Collaborative approaches in planning, designing, and implementing integrated solutions are essential. Digital and innovative platforms can be leveraged to engage citizens and foster a closer connection between governments and city residents.
Financing Equitable and Sustainable Urban Development: Cities need the ability to access an increasing share of national wealth and revenue, borrow, increase, and utilize local revenues, leverage land values, and apply complex financial products. There are positive experiences in the region that can help cities design a sustainable urban financing model.
Agenda
Organizers