World Habitat Day 2023: Theme, history and significance of the global day

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World Habitat Day, a globally recognised event observed on the first Monday of October, marks the beginning of ‘Urban October’.

This day is celebrated worldwide, with each year’s event hosted in a different country, featuring keynote speakers and roundtable discussions centered around a specific theme. The inaugural World Habitat Day took place in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1986, under the theme ‘Shelter is my right.’

The 2023 theme: Resilient urban economies

In 2023, World Habitat Day takes on the theme of “Resilient urban economies. Cities as drivers of growth and recovery.”

The primary focus of this year’s event is to bring together key stakeholders from cities around the world to deliberate on strategies for revitalising urban centers following the dual impact of Covid-19 and conflicts on the global economy, noted the UN in its concept note.

World Habitat Day objectives:

Addressing economic slowdown: Examining the various dimensions of the economic slowdown currently affecting cities and identifying actionable steps cities can take to stimulate economic recovery.

Knowledge sharing: Facilitating the exchange of experiences among cities, allowing them to learn from one another’s approaches in combating inflationary pressures and navigating the challenges posed by the global financial landscape.

According to the United Nations, for economic growth and recovery to be sustainable, cities must be equipped to absorb, rebound, and prepare for potential future economic shocks.

Additionally, these efforts should align with green recovery frameworks, encouraging increased investments in both the public and private sectors to transition towards a climate-neutral economy in a post-Covid world.

World Habitat Day, taking place on the first Monday of October, serves as the launchpad for Urban October, highlighting the critical role of urbanisation in global development and sustainability.

UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour

A significant highlight of World Habitat Day is the prestigious UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Awards.

The United Nations agency dedicated to sustainable urbanisation, UN-Habitat, initiated these awards in 1989 to recognise outstanding contributions by individuals and institutions to urban development.

The awardees are acknowledged for their exceptional work in improving the quality of urban life for all and for their efforts in providing adequate, affordable, and accessible housing.

Nominations for the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour were open from March 20 to June 20, 2023. Five winners have been selected from the pool of nominees and will be honored at the global observance of World Habitat Day on October 2.

As World Habitat Day 2023 approaches, cities worldwide are preparing to engage in constructive dialogue, seeking solutions to bolster urban economies and foster sustainable growth in a rapidly changing world.