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Home : Sustainable Communities : World Urban Forums
World Urban Forum
What is the World Urban Forum?
The World Urban Forum is an initiative of the United Nations' Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT). Held every two years, the World Urban Forum invites governments, local authorities, non-governmental organizations and other experts on urban issues from around the world to discuss the challenges of urbanization.
Since 1950, the percentage of the world's population living in urban areas has increased from 30% to nearly 50%. By 2030, that number is expected to reach 60%. This dramatic shift in population density has created a range of serious issues, including water, sanitation, shelter, urban poverty, HIV/AIDS and urban governance.
Canada was honoured to host HABITAT I: the historic first United Nations conference on Human Settlements, held in Vancouver, BC in 1976. HABITAT I helped bring urban issues to the forefront of international awareness, and led to the United Nations resolution that created UN-HABITAT.
In June 2006, on the 30th anniversary of HABITAT I, Canada will host the third UN-HABITAT World Urban Forum, again in Vancouver. The 2006 World Urban Forum (WUF) will be an opportunity to discuss international cooperation in urban development and sustainable urbanization, and to start the development of models that can be used to address urbanization issues in cities around the world.
WUF 2006 is an opportunity for Canada to position itself as a global leader in sustainable cities by showcasing Canadian best practices and technologies, engaging citizens on key policy issues linked to Canadian and global urban sustainability, and strengthening domestic and international partnerships in the development of sustainable urban communities.
The World Urban Forum will also lead into another major international event that will highlight Canada's leadership in sustainability issues. The 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver will be the first "green" Olympics, incorporating the principles of environmental sustainability into all aspects of planning and preparation.
Proposed environmental practices include: green buildings and community planning standards; sustainable transportation initiatives; energy efficiency and use of renewable energy; water conservation, air quality and greenhouse gas management; waste minimization; and protection and enhancement of natural landscapes.
As part of the preparations for the 3rd World Urban Forum, Habitat JAM -- December 1-3, 2005 -- is a three-day on-line conference that will bring tens of thousands of people around the world together to discuss, debate and share solutions to urgent global issues that face our rapidly urbanizing planet. Six forum topics will be discussed: Improving the lives of Slum Dwellers, Sustainable Access to Water, Environmental Sustainability, Safety and Security, Finance and Governance and Humanity: The Future of Our Cities. The Habitat JAM is being held as part of the preparations for the third session of the World Urban Forum. Learn more about The Habitat JAM at http://www.habitatjam.com 
What's the WD connection?
 Western Economic Diversification played a key role in securing World Urban Forum 2006 for Canada, and is chair of the Vancouver Working Group (VWG). The VWG is a collection of senior level representatives brought together to advise provide support, input, expert advice, resources, partnerships and research to the Government of Canada in preparation for WUF 2006. The group includes:
- Federal Government: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Environment Canada, Western Economic Diversification
- Provincial Government: BC Ministry of Community, Aboriginal & Women's Services; Province of British Columbia (MLA); Homeowners Protection Office
- Regional Government: Greater Vancouver Regional District
- Municipal Government: City of Vancouver
- Non-Governmental Partners: Canadian Institute of Planners, Environmental Youth Alliance, International Centre for Sustainable Cities, Liu Institute for Global Issues, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia
The VWG has produced a series of research papers on urban issues that create a uniquely Canadian body of research about sustainability, urbanization and related issues, and will provide a useful backdrop for discussions leading up to WUF 2006. In addition, the VWG has acted as a contact point for individuals and organizations interested in involvement with WUF 2006 and related events.
These discussion papers are available using the links below:
What's been accomplished?
WD is involved in a number of major initiatives are contributing to the sustainability of communities across the West, and to Canada's international leadership in issues related to sustainable urbanization.
- WD's Urban Development Agreements are agreements between federal, provincial, and municipal governments to address broad urban issues through partnership and shared goals. Urban Development Agreements focus on addressing key challenges facing the largest cities in the West, realizing opportunities in innovation and ensuring the full participation of all groups in the economies of those cities.
- WD is responsible for administering the Urban Aboriginal Strategy
 in the West. The UAS aims to reduce the level of disparity that urban Aboriginal people currently face relative to other Canadians, by tailoring government programs to address the local needs and priorities of Aboriginal people living in cities. The 2004 federal budget announced that federal funding for the Strategy is being doubled to $50 million over four years.
- WD is working to strengthen western expertise in developing and commercializing innovative Environmental Technologies, including Fuel Cells. With an estimated global market of between $750 billion and $1 trillion, environmental technologies will not only provide new economic opportunities for the West, but will also help Canada and other nations in their efforts to reduce the negative impact of human settlements on the environment.
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