Quality <strong>of</strong> Life and Urban ProsperityQuality <strong>of</strong> Life: A Variety <strong>of</strong> Local ResponsesUN-Habitat has identified some convergent and divergentforms in which <strong>cities</strong> address quality <strong>of</strong> life.Divergent city responses: Actions to improve quality <strong>of</strong>life will largely depend on <strong>the</strong> stage <strong>of</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>relevant country or city.In most poor <strong>cities</strong> in <strong>the</strong> developing world, quality <strong>of</strong>life is strongly associated with <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> public goodsin <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong> basic services such as water, sanitation andelectricity, and improvements in slum neighbourhoods.Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2025 aims athigh quality <strong>of</strong> life for all <strong>the</strong> population, linking this notionto economic growth and poverty reduction. 13 In Ho ChiMinh City, quality <strong>of</strong> life is directly linked to improveddrainage, sewage collection and treatment systems, ando<strong>the</strong>r public infrastructures such as road enlargements.In middle-income countries, governments link quality <strong>of</strong>life to various factors, from improved living environmentsand enhanced material well-being to higher incomes. Expertsin <strong>cities</strong> as diverse as Fort-de-Fran ce (Martinique), Habana,Cebu, Davao, and Beirut explicitly refer to <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> adecent house and a healthy environment as essential elementsfor improved well-being and quality <strong>of</strong> life. In o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>cities</strong>−Rosario, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Alexandria and Guarenas(Venezuela) − improved solid waste disposal is perceived asa major condition for better quality <strong>of</strong> life. Improvementsin healthcare services appear as ano<strong>the</strong>r major factor. InSingapore, Doha, Chongqing and Shenzhen, local expertsimplicitly refer to good and affordable medical services forall as a good way <strong>of</strong> improving quality <strong>of</strong> life. Shenzhen’suniversal healthcare systemand Tehran’s Urban HeartProgramme are goodBox 2.3.2examples.factQuality <strong>of</strong> Life, World-Class Cities and Social InclusionExperts in Beira, Algiers, Praia, Luanda and AddisAbaba, among o<strong>the</strong>rs, explicitly link improved quality<strong>of</strong> life to slum upgrading and poverty reduction.In rich countries, government responses to <strong>the</strong> needfor quality <strong>of</strong> life implicitly refer to access to a number<strong>of</strong> goods and services and improvements in <strong>the</strong> domesticliving environment. ManyEuropean <strong>cities</strong> emphasizegood transport, green openspaces, culture and sportsfact Nor<strong>the</strong>rnEuropean<strong>cities</strong> like Copenhagen,facilities as major factorsAmsterdam, Groningen,behind better quality <strong>of</strong> life. Berlin and MuensterAlthough better paid jobs, promote cycling andgood levels <strong>of</strong> educationwalking as part <strong>of</strong> newand health facilities always urban cultures and infeature in government<strong>the</strong> pursuit <strong>of</strong> betterquality <strong>of</strong> life. O<strong>the</strong>rsresponses, quality <strong>of</strong> life islike Dresden, Vancouverincreasingly associated to and Los Angeles havean inclusive, well-planned, launched into urbanhealthy and supportiveconversion programmesenvironment. 14in cultural and historicalConvergent cityneighbourhoods,adapting urbanresponses: Beyond localinfrastructure andcircumstances, somereusing open landaspects <strong>of</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> lifeareas for better qualityimprovements can be found <strong>of</strong> life.in all types <strong>of</strong> country.policy Equitable<strong>cities</strong>generalize accessto urban commonsand public goods,preventing privateappropriation andexpanding <strong>the</strong> scope forimproved quality <strong>of</strong> lifefor all.Cities with aspirations to ‘world class’ status will typically equate this notion with competitiveness.The 2007–2015 Dubai Long-term Strategic Development Plan declares <strong>the</strong>se two notions as twinobjectives that will “establish <strong>the</strong> city as a preferred home for current and future residents byimproving <strong>the</strong> well-being <strong>of</strong> citizens and residents, and helping <strong>the</strong>m live healthier lives enrichedwith opportunity and choice. 15 In Doha, <strong>the</strong> capital <strong>of</strong> Qatar, transformation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> city into adiversified knowledge-based economy is seen by public authorities as being contingent on <strong>the</strong>development and upgrading <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> education and skills <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> population and improved quality <strong>of</strong>life. 16 Singapore considers quality <strong>of</strong> life as a key competitive advantage to attract skilled foreignlabour and investment. 17 At a different level, a local expert in Beirut noted that ‘quality <strong>of</strong> life’ mostlyappeared in <strong>the</strong> advertising brochures <strong>of</strong> high-end property developments, in response to whichnon-governmental organizations have used <strong>the</strong> same notion to draw attention to <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> publicgoods in <strong>the</strong> city, such as public or ‘green’ spaces. 18 In Santos, Brazil, quality <strong>of</strong> life is perceived asinvolving social justice and inclusion, not just economic growth, as a precondition for sustainabledevelopment.63
State <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> World’s Cities <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>2013</strong>Cultural vitality enhances quality <strong>of</strong> life: Sinulog Street dancing, an annual event held on <strong>the</strong> third Sunday in January celebrates Santo Niño,<strong>the</strong> patron saint <strong>of</strong> Cebu, Philippines, as well as Cebuano peoples’ origins.© <strong>2012</strong> John Lander/fotoLIBRA.com64
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