(4) Sustainable Cities
Cities are the primary settlement areas of humans, and are the focal points of economic, social, and political activities. In recent years, attention has been focused on the issues relating to the administration of cities. The issues include: the handling of the disposal of the substantial waste emitted in urban areas and suburbs; the prevention of air, water, and other environmental pollution; the development of infrastructure facilities including sewage and waste treatment systems; and responses to rapid population increases and the consequent fast pace of urbanization. Addressing these issues and engaging in efforts to realize sustainable cities are priorities for development cooperation.
Among the SDGs in the 2030 Agenda adopted at the UN General Assembly in September 2015, Goal 11 sets forth the following task: “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” There is thus a growing international commitment to resolving the issues of human settlements, including realizing sustainable cities.
<Japan’s Efforts>
Based on the Development Cooperation Charter, Japan aims to achieve “quality growth” and poverty eradication through such growth in developing countries. To this end, Japan implements cooperation for realizing sustainable cities, along with efforts to resolve global issues directly related to human settlements, including efforts for promoting disaster risk reduction, recovery from natural disasters, and a sound water cycle.
More specifically, drawing on its know-how and experience, Japan develops infrastructure, including water and sewage, waste, and energy facilities. In addition, Japan carries out disaster risk reduction programs based on the concept of “Build Back Better,” striving to build cities that are more resilient to natural disasters than prior to the disaster. Japan also conducts human resources development.
Furthermore, Japan implements initiatives through assistance to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), an international organization that mainly conducts activities to resolve human settlement issues. Notably, Japan also implements programs in collaboration with the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP), in part because it is headquartered in Fukuoka Prefecture, and with Japanese private companies.
A UN conference (Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development) is held once every 20 years on resolving human settlement issues, including issues arising from urbanization. In October 2016 at the Third UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (HABITAT III) held in Quito, Ecuador in South America, the New Urban Agenda was adopted. This is a policy for international efforts aimed at the solution of a wide range of issues pertaining to human settlements, based on the results of the efforts of each country undertaken over the 20 years since the previous conference. Japan also intends to advance efforts aimed at contribution to this conference.
Japan supported the Project on Integrated Urban Development Master Plan for the City of Nairobi in Kenya. A view of Nairobi City. (Photo: JICA Project Team)
The disorderly sprawl of the Ger district in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Japan has been cooperating in the formulation of an urban development master plan for Ulaanbaatar since 2007. (Photo: JICA)