Climate Action 2014-2015

RESILIENT CITIES
ones, and existing plots can be densified
according to the exigencies of urban
development.
Integration versus segregation. One
basic principle in the early stages of
development was to avoid becoming a
dormitory town, and hence the focus
was on creating jobs in a mixed-use
environment. Part of the area was
designated for industrial and agricultural
uses (“Before the houses, build
factories!”). Likewise an inclusive public
facilities policy, emphasising service to all
households, was also adopted.
Connectivity versus congestion. The
proposed, well-articulated road network
(again see Figure 4) is well connected
to the existing train and road network
at the national (Pan Americana Sur),
metropolitan and local level. The basic
planning module of Villa El Salvador
provides for 28 per cent street space, 10
per cent public space and 62 per cent
built-up area – proportions that allow
for sufficient provision of street and
public space and adequate vehicular
and pedestrian connections within the
neighbourhood.
UN-HABITAT AND PLANNED
CITY EXTENSIONS
The majority of future urban population
growth will take place in small- to
medium-sized urban areas in developing
countries, most notably in Africa and
Asia (Cities and Biodiversity Outlook,
2013). Most in need of planned city
extensions are those rapidly growing
cities in developing countries (i.e. with
low GDP per capita; see Figure 5), where
local authorities often lack the capacity
needed to promote effectively sustainable
urban development.
Drawing on lessons from Villa El Salvador
and numerous other experiences,
UN-Habitat is working with a wide
range of partners from different levels
of government and a variety of other
sectors to help plan city extensions in
a number of countries. In Rwanda,
Kenya, Egypt, Philippines, Colombia,
Haiti and elsewhere, we are supporting
local authorities in rapidly urbanising
agglomerations to provide the appropriate
"Most in need of planned
city extensions are those
rapidly growing cities in
developing countries."
legal, institutional and financial
frameworks for sustainable city extensions.
Our work reflects the following five
principles for planned city extensions,
with corresponding guidelines:
Adequate space for streets and an efficient
street network. The street network should
be adequate not only for vehicles and
public transport but also for pedestrians
and cyclists. UN-Habitat’s research
indicates that, in high density, mixed-use
urban areas, at least 30 per cent of land
should be allocated for roads and parking,
and at least 15-20 per cent should be
allocated for open public space. To develop
sustainable mobility, the design of the street
network should differ from the modernist
practice in the following aspects:
Public transport, walking and cycling
should be encouraged.
Road hierarchy should be highly
interconnected.
Sufficient parking space should be
provided.
Relatively high density. As previously
discussed, relatively high density
development offers numerous socioeconomic
and environmental benefits.
High density development:
Slows down urban sprawl because
high-density neighbourhoods can
accommodate more people per area.
Reduces transport needs, especially for
motorised transport, reduces parking
demand, and increases support for
public transport.
Increases energy efficiency and
decreases pollution.
Decreases the costs of public services
such as police and emergency
response, school transport, roads, water
and sewage.
Figure 5. Countries – urban population growth rates and annual
GDP per capita
Source: UN-Habitat
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