State of World Cities 2012/2013

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Posted on: 24 September 2012
By: mackene
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Filed under: News

UN-Habitat has launched the State of World’s Cities Report 2012/2013. Titled The prosperity of cities, the report recommends that those engaged in development work need to explore a more inclusive notion of prosperity and development. What this new edition of State of the World’s Cities shows is that prosperity for all has been compromised by a narrow focus on economic growth. UN-Habitat suggests a fresh approach to prosperity beyond the solely economic emphasis, including other vital dimensions such as quality of life, adequate infrastructures, equity and environmental sustainability. The report proposes a new tool, the City Prosperity Index, together with a conceptual matrix, the Wheel of Prosperity, both of which are meant to assist decision makers to design clear policy interventions. The report advocates for the need of cities to enhance the public realm, expand public goods and consolidate rights to the ‘commons’ for all as a way to expand prosperity. This comes in response to the observed trend of enclosing or restricting these goods and commons in enclaves of prosperity, or depleting them through unsustainable use.

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