A Guide for Sustainable Urban Development of the 21st Century
A Guide for Sustainable Urban Development of the 21st Century
A Guide for Sustainable Urban Development of the 21st Century
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Shanghai Manual – A <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Sustainable</strong> <strong>Urban</strong> <strong>Development</strong> in <strong>the</strong> 21 st <strong>Century</strong>FOREWORD – UNITED NATIONSThe Shanghai Manual <strong>for</strong> Better Cities is a concrete outcome <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> World Expo2010, Shanghai, China - Better City, Better Life. It is a product <strong>of</strong> fruitfulcollaboration between <strong>the</strong> Municipal Government <strong>of</strong> Shanghai, <strong>the</strong> BureauInternational des Exhibitions and <strong>the</strong> United Nations. It addresses one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mostpressing challenges <strong>of</strong> our time – how to foster sustainable, livable andharmonious cities.The World Expo 2010 Shanghai provided not only a plat<strong>for</strong>m <strong>for</strong> exhibitions andcultural exchanges, but also a <strong>for</strong>um where broad-ranging discussions on <strong>the</strong>mescentral to sustainable development took place and practical solutions to problemsexplored, based on lessons learned and best practices. I wish to commend UnitedNations agencies and Chinese partners that collaborated during <strong>the</strong> Expo inorganizing <strong>the</strong>matic <strong>for</strong>ums on sustainable urban development. At those <strong>for</strong>ums,we received <strong>the</strong> insights <strong>of</strong> renowned academics, experts and practitioners,innovative ideas <strong>of</strong> business leaders, and <strong>the</strong> visions <strong>of</strong> mayors <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> cities <strong>of</strong>tomorrow. This wealth <strong>of</strong> knowledge and experience has been truly enriching.The aim <strong>of</strong> this Manual is to support mayors and urban managers as <strong>the</strong>y try t<strong>of</strong>oster sustainable urban development in <strong>the</strong>ir communities. Through this Manualwe seek to place effective policy tools and best practices at <strong>the</strong>ir disposal. Thissupport is essential because cities are at <strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>efront <strong>of</strong> finding and testingdevelopment solutions. Cities are <strong>the</strong> most vibrant centres <strong>of</strong> human energy andcreativity. They are at <strong>the</strong> nexus <strong>of</strong> new ideas, innovation and <strong>the</strong> knowledgeeconomy. Moreover, cities are at <strong>the</strong> leading edge <strong>of</strong> ef<strong>for</strong>ts to address <strong>the</strong>challenges <strong>of</strong> climate change, and it is in cities that initiatives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new greeneconomy are being piloted.Let us work toge<strong>the</strong>r to implement <strong>for</strong>ward-looking strategies <strong>of</strong> our cities withour combined dedication and vigour. It is our hope that with feedback and inputsfrom mayors, urban planners and managers, this Manual will become a livingdocument, to be revised and improved while incorporating new visions, lessonslearned and best practices.Sha ZukangUnder-Secretary-GeneralSecretary-General <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> Conference on <strong>Sustainable</strong> <strong>Development</strong> (Rio+20)2
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