What is World Habitat Day?
World Habitat Day is celebrated annually on the first Monday of October and was recognized in 1985 by the United Nations General Assembly. Additionally, Nairobi, Kenya, was the first place to host the celebration of this day in 1986, and a different city is chosen each year.
World Habitat Day aims to ensure that every human being has the right to secure housing where they can live safely with their family. It also seeks to create housing and communities free from slums, unsafe buildings, and dangerous roads. Furthermore, it aims to provide sustainable transportation in all new cities and to guarantee every person’s right to move easily within urban areas.
The day also focuses on reducing climate change and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11: “Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.” Each year features a specific theme discussed by members of the UN General Assembly.
This year’s theme is “Resilient Urban Futures: Responding to Urban Crises.”
Last year’s theme, “Engaging Youth for a Better Urban Future,” was a great success, leading to several initiatives that support young people.
This article will further discuss the objectives and importance of World Habitat Day, its connection with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 11, and highlight the right of every human to adequate shelter by presenting examples from different cities.
Theme of the Year: Responding to Urban Crises
This year’s theme emphasizes the urgent need to respond to urban crises worldwide. According to UN statistics, 122 million people have been forcibly displaced due to political conflicts, economic crises, and climate change—such as wildfires, floods, and other disasters—that force people to migrate to more stable cities.
Given the current global situation, it is essential to shed light on these issues. The key objectives discussed during World Habitat Day include:
- Addressing previous crises,
- Striving for equality,
- Highlighting sustainable solutions,
- Emphasizing the role of countries and governments in finding solutions to forced displacement and migration caused by natural disasters.
Sustainable Development Goal 11: Make Cities Inclusive, Safe, Resilient, and Sustainable
Goal 11 is closely linked to World Habitat Day. It highlights the importance of maintaining cities and making them sustainable, safe, and resilient to various challenges and climate changes such as wars, conflicts, and environmental conditions like air and water pollution, as well as urban sprawl and inequality.
Its sub-targets include:
- Achieving affordable and sustainable transport systems and ensuring accessible transportation for all urban residents,
- Protecting the cultural and natural heritage of cities,
- Reducing the impact of disasters and preparing preventive plans,
- Minimizing negative environmental impacts of cities, such as pollution of all kinds caused by human practices,
- Providing green spaces in all cities,
- Supporting developing countries,
- Encouraging governments to adopt sustainable plans and create strategies to face natural disasters and protect cities in times of crisis.
According to the United Nations, since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, significant progress has been made — the number of countries that have developed national and local strategies to reduce disaster risks has doubled.
However, challenges remain. For instance, as of 2022, only half of the world’s urban population had easy access to public transportation.
National Urban Policy
The National Urban Policy was the result of collaboration between UN-Habitat and the Third Palestinian Urban Forum in 2022. It incorporated most of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11, which focuses on cities. Its provisions emphasize the need to provide safe, adequate, and sustainable housing across Palestine, including its main cities such as Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. It also calls for developing an advanced, eco-friendly transportation network and stresses the importance of protecting Palestine’s heritage and providing job opportunities for both genders.
According to the Palestinian Urban Forum and UN-Habitat, 1,694 Palestinians were displaced in 2021, and the homes of 180 people in East Jerusalem were at risk of demolition and forced eviction. They also pointed out that the Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated urban areas on earth, with a population of 2.1 million people.
The National Urban Policy reaffirmed one of the core principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is “Leaving No One Behind (LNOB)”, calling for justice, equality, and the right of every person to secure housing.
According to UN statistics, as of July last year, 1.9 million Palestinians had been displaced — a catastrophic increase compared to 2021. Furthermore, the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) provided precise estimates of the scale of housing destruction: 66% of damaged buildings in the Gaza Strip — a total of 163,778 structures — were affected to varying degrees. This includes 52,564 completely destroyed buildings, 18,913 severely damaged, 56,710 moderately damaged, and 35,591 possibly damaged structures.
Destruction of Cities and Homes Due to Climate Change
Many people around the world are forced to relocate due to climate-related causes, a concern that draws the attention of UN-Habitat.
For example, in El Bosque, residents have faced repeated displacement since 2019 due to constant tidal waves that have eroded coastlines and destroyed homes and schools. According to Amnesty International, the wells used for drinking water and other household needs have been contaminated; healthcare services were irregular and insufficient; electricity was unstable; and due to the destruction of schools, children were forced to attend classes in unsuitable learning environments. Amnesty International also reported another disaster in Kenya last year, where in April 2024, floods destroyed schools and displaced more than 55,000 families, causing the deaths of 294 people.
Efforts of World Habitat Day
There have been numerous achievements associated with World Habitat Day over the past four years.
For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program supported 6.8 million people in 37 countries and 262 cities, helping them adapt to the pandemic and the global health crisis.
In 2021, the program announced that it had contributed to improving living conditions in informal settlements through upgrading programs aimed at making cities more sustainable and providing diverse means of adaptation and safe transportation.
The program also promotes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through annual awards, such as the Scroll of Honour Award, and provides technical advice to governments while raising awareness about the importance of urban planning.
I believe that every human being has the right to housing that shelters their family throughout the changing seasons — from the heat of summer to the cold of winter. All individuals must have equal access to public amenities such as transportation and safe roads.
Moreover, nations must act urgently to protect and guarantee everyone’s right to shelter, particularly in times of war and climate crises. Shelters should be provided in all countries, especially in coastal regions or areas prone to earthquakes and floods, as part of immediate response measures.
It is also essential to address the root causes of these disasters — tackling climate change, fossil fuel dependence, and global warming, all of which alter the planet’s natural balance.
Conclusion
World Habitat Day is one of the most important days celebrated by the United Nations, as it brings together countries to develop urgent solutions for habitat-related challenges and to ensure inclusive, safe, and sustainable living environments — fulfilling one of the key Sustainable Development Goals.
It also addresses urgent issues concerning human settlements and displaced persons, provides financial support and recognition for companies engaged in sustainable urban development, and offers advisory support to governments.
Everyone should take part in World Habitat Day each year — to stay informed about the latest global issues, share challenges with relevant organizations, and work collectively toward urgent and sustainable solutions.
Prepared by: Dina Ahmed Abdel Azim
