Cities have proved to be 鈥済round zero鈥� the world over for the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN chief听said on Tuesday, encouraging leaders everywhere to 鈥渞ethink and reshape the urban world鈥� as we recover.听
鈥淣ow is the moment to adapt to the reality of this and future pandemics鈥�,听Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres听said in his recorded message launching the latest UN policy brief, 鈥�COVID-19听in an urban world鈥�.
鈥淎nd now is our chance to recover better, by building more resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities鈥�, he added.
Even the scales
Mr. Guterres highlighted deeply rooted inequalities in the poorest areas, citing strained health systems, inadequate water and other challenges that cities are facing in common, with 90 per cent of reported听coronavirus听cases concentrated in urban areas.
However, the report reveals that urban density does not inevitably correlate with higher virus transmission, saying that vulnerabilities are largely a result of the choices made on how people live, work and travel, in and around them.
Hubs of resilience
But cities are also home to extraordinary solidarity and resilience.听
Pointing to the numerous examples of strangers helping each other, streets filling with citizens showing their support for essential workers, and local businesses donating life-saving supplies, Mr. Guterres maintained that 鈥渨e have seen the best of the human spirit on display鈥�.
Cities are bearing the brunt of the crisis 鈥� especially in poorer areas.
As we respond to the pandemic, we have an opportunity to build more inclusive, resilient & sustainable cities.
The 鈥檚 recommendations:鈥� Ant贸nio Guterres (@antonioguterres)
鈥淎s we respond to the pandemic and work towards recovery, we look to our cities as hubs of community, human innovation and ingenuity鈥�, the top UN official said.听
Halt inequalities
The UN released the guidance to reflect upon and reset how we live, interact and rebuild our cities.
In responding to the pandemic, the first line of business is to tackle inequalities and safeguard social cohesion, said Mr. Guterres.
鈥淲e must prioritize those who are the most vulnerable in our cities, including guaranteeing safe shelter for all and emergency housing to those without homes.鈥�
Noting that nearly one-quarter of the world鈥檚 urban population lives in slums, he flagged that public services in many cities require 鈥渦rgent attention鈥�, particularly in informal settlements.
Since access to water and sanitation are vital, Mr. Guterres mentioned how some local governments have stepped up, 鈥渇rom prohibiting evictions during the crisis, to putting in place new clean water stations in the most vulnerable areas鈥�.
Bolster local government
To support and strengthen local governments, the world鈥檚 top diplomat underscored the importance of deeper cooperation between local and national authorities.听
- Twenty-four per cent of the world鈥檚 urban population live in slums.听
- Less than half the global population can walk to open public spaces from their homes.听
- Urban economies account for 80 per cent of global GDP.
鈥淪timulus packages and other relief should support tailored responses and boost local government capacity鈥�, he said.
Steering the future
Another key policy recommendation is for cities to pursue a green, resilient and inclusive economic recovery.听
Against the backdrop of new bike lanes and pedestrian zones to improve mobility, safety and air quality in cities, Mr. Guterres said that 鈥渨e must act with the same urgency鈥�.
He observed that by embracing widescale telecommuting away from offices, it showed that 鈥渟ocieties can transform seemingly overnight to confront urgent threats鈥�.
And, 鈥渂y focusing on high ecological transformation and job creation, stimulus packages can steer growth towards a low-carbon, resilient pathway and advance the听Sustainable Development Goals听(SDGs)鈥�, concluded the Secretary-General.听
