http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1066413/1/.html
SINGAPORE : National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan has
suggested the idea of a Learning Network for Cities to promote a
community of best practices for liveability and
sustainability.
Speaking at the opening plenary session of the World Cities Summit
on Tuesday, Mr Mah says the network will bring together decision
makers, practitioners and experts to share their knowledge and
practices on key aspects of sustainable development such as
infrastructure-financing and the use of green technology.
The network will be discussed at the World Cities Summit Mayors'
Forum on Wednesday and further details will be shared during the
closing plenary.
Mr Mah said the need for sustainable development has never been
stronger.
Today, the global population stands at 6.8 billion and is projected
to reach 9 billion in the next 40 years.
With the global population growing rapidly, the limitation of
natural resources in meeting the needs of the world's population is
increasingly evident.
He said cities hold the key to the future.
The statistics are compelling and familiar.
Cities are growing at an unprecedented rate. Every day, about
200,000 more people move into cities and towns.
Every three days, a new city the size of Seattle or Amsterdam
springs up.
By the year 2050, 70 per cent of the global population will be
residing in cities, as compared to the 50 per cent today.
Mr Mah said this means city planners and developers need to rapidly
scale up their urban infrastructure to provide for some 6.4 billion
city dwellers, who will need good access to energy, water, mobility
and affordable housing.
Cities, by virtue of their high human density and economic growth,
are the hotspots of climate-changing practices such as high energy
consumption, pollution and deforestation.
Yet, precisely because of their high human density and economic
capabilities, Mr Mah said cities own the very resources, the
economic and human capital, as well as technology, to counter the
problems that they have caused.
He said a great city must be economically vibrant, foster a strong
sense of place, and more importantly, sustain its existence over
time. - CNA /ls
