Abstract
Suggestion to organize this session with ISOCARP as an opening or closing session of the Congress with Mayors and decision makers in urban planning. In 2015, 54 per cent of the world’s population - close to 4 billion people - lived in cities. The population is expected to rise by an additional 1 billion people by 2030, when cities will contain 60 per cent of the world’s population. East Asia is one of the most highly urbanized regions globally; posting both vibrant growth and emerging challenges. There is an inextricable link between the growth of safe and sustainable cities in East Asia and the well-being of the region’s children. The region is home to some of the fastest growing and most populated mega cities in the world, such as Jakarta. It is also experiencing dramatic growth in small and medium-sized cities, where more than half of its urban population lives. By 2030, more than 70 per cent of people living in the region will live in urban areas. This rural-urban shift creates incredible developmental opportunities across the region. Children and adolescents – whose personal, cognitive, physical and socioemotional development is powerfully influenced and ‘sculpted’ by the new urban experience – should be the clear winners of this urban century. Making urbanization work for every child will yield dividends for all citizens. However, despite high economic growth and far reaching social transformation in fast urbanising countries, poverty and social, economic and gender disparities still prevent millions of children from developing to their full potential. UNICEF sees three pillars of investments that urban planners and city governments should focus on: 1. Get better urban data and evidence that reveals intra-urban disparities for children, including children in informal settlements/impoverished areas and that is accessible for all and used for planning 2. Access to basic services for all children 3. Better urban environments with accessible public spaces for children, healthy and safe transportation, clean air and sustainable resource management, in particular water, sanitation, waste and food 4. Meaningful participation mechanisms that ensure children and their communities are engaged from assessment to co-production of solutions, to strengthen neighbourhoods in ever growing cities. The panel session will offer insight from panel experts on challenges for children in cities and how urban planning can be a support to ensure children get the urban childhood they deserve. The panel could also be informed by a documentary or presentation of survey by children on what are their needs and solutions for cities (tbc). o representative of UNICEF o representative of city in Indonesia or South-East Asia (city leader or head urban planning) o adolescent representatives (It is recommended that they would also be involved in the Young Planning Professionals Workshop that will take place the week prior to the Congress) o representative United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific o representative urban planner member of ISOCARP
