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Sustainable urbanisation
With its guidelines on international cooperation in the interests of sustainable urbanisation, the Federal Government intends to make a tangible contribution to tackling the major challenges of urbanisation, such as in the context of global warming.
With its guidelines on international cooperation in the interests of sustainable urbanisation, the Federal Government intends to make a tangible contribution to tackling the major challenges of urbanisation, such as in the context of global warming.
Partners in a World of Cities – Federal Government guidelines for international cooperation on sustainable urbanisation
The 21st century is often dubbed the century of the city. More than half of the world’s population currently live in cities or in urban areas, and this trend looks set to continue. According to estimates, 75% of the world’s population or around seven billion people will live in cities by 2050. This means that worldwide population growth will primarily occur in cities, although this increase will take place almost exclusively in emerging economies and developing countries. All over the world, it is therefore in cities that questions of economic and social development, governability, security, political participation and sustainability will be decided.
Supplying this rapidly growing number of people with housing space, water, food and energy, as well as access to sources of income, education, healthcare and transport, is posing great challenges for the international community. At the same time, we must protect global public goods and preserve public security and stability. While cities are a significant contributor to global climate change, they offer enormous potential for effective climate protection measures.
The way in which national and local governments and the international community approach the challenges of urbanisation has a direct impact on the realisation of the global post-2015 sustainable development goals, as well as direct and indirect consequences for Germany.
The Federal Government intends to make a tangible contribution to dealing with the major challenges of urbanisation, such as in the context of global warming, and to assume a proactive role by supporting sustainable global development, promoting peace and security, and implementing human rights by establishing and deepening urbanisation partnerships, participating in the UN Human Settlements Programme Habitat III and engaging in a host of other activities.
This is why the Federal Government has drawn up guidelines for its international commitment to urbanisation with which it intends to support international processes such as achieving the post-2015 objectives. Moreover, the guidelines aim to summarise the Federal Government’s activities and to offer a joint platform to German actors in the area of international urbanisation.
If sustainable solutions for designing urban spaces are found, then Germany stands to benefit. German expertise is a prominent feature in all areas relating to urbanisation, and is increasingly in demand among our partners. German businesses, politicians and academics can play their part in shaping the tremendous process of urbanisation in the world.
In order to help German partners outside the Federal Government keep abreast of the federal ministries’ international activities in the area of urbanisation, we offer information on selected international activities undertaken by the German Government in the area of international urbanisation.
