Mah: Learning network for Cities
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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1066413/1/.html
SINGAPORE : National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan has suggested the idea of a Learning Network for Cities to promote a community of best practices for liveability and sustainability.
Speaking at the opening plenary session of the World Cities Summit on Tuesday, Mr Mah says the network will bring together decision makers, practitioners and experts to share their knowledge and practices on key aspects of sustainable development such as infrastructure-financing and the use of green technology.
The network will be discussed at the World Cities Summit Mayors' Forum on Wednesday and further details will be shared during the closing plenary.
Mr Mah said the need for sustainable development has never been stronger.
Today, the global population stands at 6.8 billion and is projected to reach 9 billion in the next 40 years.
With the global population growing rapidly, the limitation of natural resources in meeting the needs of the world's population is increasingly evident.
He said cities hold the key to the future.
The statistics are compelling and familiar.
Cities are growing at an unprecedented rate. Every day, about 200,000 more people move into cities and towns.
Every three days, a new city the size of Seattle or Amsterdam springs up.
By the year 2050, 70 per cent of the global population will be residing in cities, as compared to the 50 per cent today.
Mr Mah said this means city planners and developers need to rapidly scale up their urban infrastructure to provide for some 6.4 billion city dwellers, who will need good access to energy, water, mobility and affordable housing.
Cities, by virtue of their high human density and economic growth, are the hotspots of climate-changing practices such as high energy consumption, pollution and deforestation.
Yet, precisely because of their high human density and economic capabilities, Mr Mah said cities own the very resources, the economic and human capital, as well as technology, to counter the problems that they have caused.
He said a great city must be economically vibrant, foster a strong sense of place, and more importantly, sustain its existence over time. - CNA /ls -
Sorry but I'm feeling uncomfy over such by e MIWs.
They hope to potray to others how good we're when we actually still also have to learn from others how they operate things like e MRT.
The latter could be ignored.
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not bad...it certainly breaks down the bulky notion of a country into innovative and varied cultural and social centres....it encourages competitive spirit within a country amongst smaller cities....to boost towards greater frontier and exchange of urban knowledge..
on a global scale, it has its significant impacts on the world map...the next level of Renaissance....