Habitat Agenda - Section IV C-5. Environmentally = sustainable, healthy and liveable human settlements

From: Subject: Habitat Agenda - Section IV C-5. Environmentally sustainable, healthy and liveable human settlements Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 14:17:08 +0300 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.unhabitat.org/unchs/english/hagenda/ch-4c-5.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 Habitat Agenda - Section IV C-5. Environmentally = sustainable, healthy and liveable human settlements Section=20 IV C. Sustainable human settlements development in an urbanizing=20 world 5. Environmentally sustainable, healthy and = liveable=20 human settlements

128. Sustainable human settlements depend on the = creation of=20 a better environment for human health and well-being, which will improve = the=20 living conditions of people and decrease disparities in the quality of = their=20 lives. The health of the population depends at least as much on the = control of=20 environmental causes of poor health as on clinical responses to disease. = Children are particularly vulnerable to harmful urban environments and = must be=20 protected. Measures to prevent ill health and disease are as important = as the=20 availability of appropriate medical treatment and care. It is therefore=20 essential to take a holistic approach to health, whereby both prevention = and=20 care are placed within the context of environmental policy, supported by = effective management systems and plans of action incorporating targets = that=20 reflect local needs and capacities.=20

129. Health problems related to adverse = environmental=20 conditions, including a lack of access to safe water and sanitation, = inadequate=20 waste management, poor drainage, air pollution, and exposure to = excessive noise=20 levels, as well as ineffective and inadequate health services, exact a = heavy=20 toll on the quality of life and the overall contribution to society of = millions=20 of people. They may also aggravate social tension and inequity and = increase the=20 vulnerability of people to the effects of disasters. An integrated = approach to=20 the provision of environmentally sound infrastructure in human = settlements,=20 particularly for people living in poverty in rural and urban areas, is = an=20 investment in sustainable human settlements development that can enhance = the=20 quality of life, reduce negative impacts on the environment, improve the = overall=20 health of a population, and reduce the burden of investment in curative = health=20 and poverty alleviation.=20

130. Many pollution-related risks to health are = particularly=20 high in urban areas, as well as in low-income areas, because of higher=20 concentrations of pollutants from, inter alia, industry, traffic, fumes = from=20 cooking and heating devices, overcrowding and inadequate solid and = liquid waste=20 management. Environmental risks in the home and the workplace may have a = disproportionate impact on the health of women and children because of = their=20 different susceptibilities and rates of exposure to the toxic effects of = various=20 chemicals and given the nature of the tasks that women frequently = undertake.=20 Environmental risks may also have a disproportionate impact on children. =

131. Many environmental contaminants, such as = radioactive=20 materials and persistent organic pollutants, work their way into the = food chain=20 and eventually into human beings, thus compromising the health of = present and=20 future generations.=20

132. Exposure to heavy metals, including lead and = mercury,=20 may have persistent and harmful effects on human health and development = and on=20 the environment. Children and people living in poverty are often = particularly=20 vulnerable, and it is of special concern that the effects of high lead = levels on=20 children's intellectual development are irreversible. Effective and = affordable=20 alternatives to many of the uses of these metals are available. = Appropriate=20 alternatives should be sought for those products where exposure to lead = can be=20 neither controlled nor managed.=20

133. Unsustainable and wasteful production and = consumption=20 patterns also lead to increasing problems in waste management. It is = essential=20 to intensify efforts aimed at minimizing the production and discharge of = waste,=20 and at recycling and reuse as much as possible and disposing of the = remainder in=20 an environmentally sound manner. This will require changes in attitudes = and=20 consumption patterns and in the design of buildings and neighbourhoods, = as well=20 as innovative, efficient and sustainable modalities for waste = management.=20

134. The design of the built environment is = recognized as=20 having an impact on people's well-being and behaviour and, thereby, on = people's=20 health. Good design in new housing and in upgrading and rehabilitation = is=20 important for the creation of sustainable living conditions. The design = of=20 high-rise housing should complement the context of the neighbourhood in = which it=20 will be located. In particular, the large-scale development of high-rise = housing=20 can bring social and environmental disadvantages; therefore special = attention=20 should be paid to the quality of its design, including the scale and = height,=20 proper maintenance, regular technical inspection and safety measures.=20

135. The liveability of the built environment has = an=20 important bearing on the quality of life in human settlements. Quality = of life=20 implies those attributes catering for the diversified and growing = aspirations of=20 citizens that go beyond the satisfaction of basic needs. Liveability = refers to=20 those spatial, social and environmental characteristics and qualities = that=20 uniquely contribute to people's sense of personal and collective = well-being and=20 to their sense of satisfaction in being the residents of that particular = settlement. The aspirations for liveability vary from place to place, = and evolve=20 and change in time; they also differ among the diverse populations that = make up=20 communities. Therefore, conditions for liveable human settlements = presuppose a=20 working democracy in which processes of participation, civic engagement = and=20 capacity-building mechanisms are institutionalized.=20

Actions=20

136. To improve the health and well-being of all = people=20 throughout their life-span, particularly people living in poverty, = Governments=20 at the appropriate levels, including local authorities, in partnership = with=20 other interested parties, should:=20

(b) Adopt measures to prevent and control air, water and soil = pollution and=20 to reduce noise levels, where appropriate, and develop and ensure = access to=20 appropriate preventive and curative health-care systems in order to = tackle=20 related health problems;=20

(c) Ensure adequate research to assess how and to what extent women = and=20 children are particularly susceptible or exposed to environmental = degradation=20 and hazards, including, as necessary, research and data collection on = specific=20 groups of women and children, particularly women with low incomes, = indigenous=20 women and women belonging to minorities;=20

(d) Improve shelter conditions so as to mitigate those health and = safety=20 risks, particularly risks to women, older persons, children and people = with=20 disabilities, that are associated with activities in the home;=20

(e) Build capacity at all levels for effective environmental health = management;=20

(f) Develop and implement programmes to ensure universal access for = women=20 throughout their life-span to a full range of affordable health-care = services,=20 including those related to reproductive health care, which includes = family=20 planning and sexual health, consistent with the report of the = International=20 Conference on Population and Development;=20

(g) Develop, where appropriate, criteria for maximum permitted and = safe=20 levels of noise exposure and promote noise assessment control as part = of=20 environmental health programmes;=20

(h) Raise awareness of the interdependencies between the = environment and=20 health and develop within communities the knowledge, attitudes and = practices=20 needed to improve personal and community health, with special = attention to=20 hygiene;=20

(i) Promote, where appropriate, planning and good design in human=20 settlements, both in new developments and in upgrading and = rehabilitation,=20 while emphasizing aesthetic qualities as well as sound and sustainable = technical and functional qualities, enriching and enlightening the = overall=20 quality of life of people;=20

(j) Establish processes to increase the exchange of information, = experience=20 and technical assistance among national, subnational and local = Governments,=20 including among Governments at the same level, and across sectors for=20 environmental health improvements;=20

(k) Ensure that due priority is given and adequate resources made = available=20 from all sources, at the national, regional and international levels, = to=20 combat the threat to individuals and public health posed by the rapid = spread=20 of HIV/AIDS globally and by the re-emergence of major diseases, such = as=20 tuberculosis, malaria, onchocerciasis (river blindness) and diarrhoeal = diseases, in particular cholera;=20

(l) Promote safe and healthy workplace conditions for men and=20 women.

137. To improve environmental = conditions and=20 reduce industrial and domestic waste and other forms of health risks in = human=20 settlements, Governments at the appropriate levels and in partnership = with all=20 interested parties should:=20

(b) Develop laws and policies that specify appropriate ambient=20 environmental quality levels and set targets for environmental = improvements=20 and identify instruments for their achievement appropriate to national = and=20 subnational priorities and conditions;=20

(c) Establish, equip and build capacity for monitoring and = evaluating=20 compliance with environmental regulations and effectiveness of = enforcement at=20 all levels;=20

(d) Set environmental standards so as to facilitate the selection = and=20 development of appropriate technologies and their appropriate use;=20

(e) Identify and address the disproportionately high and adverse = effects of=20 policies and programmes on the human health or the environment of = people=20 living in poverty and those belonging to vulnerable and disadvantaged = groups;=20

(f) Provide incentives and disincentives to promote the use of = clean=20 production and energy- and water-saving processes and technologies = that, among=20 other things, can increase economic opportunities in the areas of=20 environmental technology, environmental clean-up and environmentally = friendly=20 products and can improve the attractiveness and competitiveness of = human=20 settlements for economic investments;=20

(g) Provide guidelines and training for the application of = procedures for=20 the assessment of environmental health impacts;=20

(h) Undertake environmental assessments and environmental impact=20 assessments for development plans and projects, respectively, that may = significantly affect the quality of the environment;=20

(i) Support mechanisms for consultations and partnerships among = interested=20 parties to prepare and implement local environmental plans and local = Agenda 21=20 initiatives and specific cross-sectoral environmental health = programmes;=20

(j) Raise awareness of environmental issues and develop within = communities=20 the knowledge, attitudes and practices needed for sustainable human=20 settlements development;=20

(k) Take appropriate action to manage the use of heavy metals, = particularly=20 lead, safely and effectively and, where possible, to eliminate = uncontrolled=20 exposure in order to protect human health and the environment;=20

(l) Eliminate as soon as possible the use of lead in gasoline;=20

(m) In cooperation with the international community, promote the = protection=20 of the living environment and strive to restore contaminated land, air = and=20 water to levels acceptable for sustainable human = settlements.

138. Recognizing the need for an integrated approach to = the=20 provision of those environmental services and policies that are = essential for=20 human life, Governments at the appropriate levels, in partnership with = other=20 interested parties, should:=20

(b) Promote practices and patterns of production and consumption = that will=20 conserve and protect freshwater and saltwater resources and topsoil, = as well=20 as air and soil quality;=20

(c) Ensure that clean water is available and accessible to all = human=20 settlements as soon as possible through, inter alia, the adoption and=20 improvement of technology, and ensure that environmental protection = and=20 conservation plans are designed and implemented to restore polluted = water=20 systems and rebuild damaged watersheds;=20

(d) Dispose as soon as possible, within both rural and urban areas, = of=20 sewage, waste waters and solid wastes, including hazardous wastes, in = a manner=20 that conforms with national or international environmental quality = guidelines;=20

(e) Promote environmental protection and public health by proper = treatment=20 and the recycling and reuse of environmentally compatible sanitation = and=20 treatment/disposal of waste water and solid waste;=20

(f) Make a concerted effort to reduce the generation of wastes and = waste=20 products by, inter alia, setting national and local goals for the = reduction of=20 packaging;=20

(g) Develop criteria and methodologies for the assessment of = environmental=20 impacts and resource requirements at the local level throughout the = life cycle=20 of products and processes;=20

(h) Develop and implement legal, fiscal and administrative = mechanisms to=20 achieve integrated ecosystem management;=20

(i) Establish mechanisms to ensure transparent, accountable and=20 cost-effective management and maintenance of = infrastructure.

139. In order to promote a healthy environment that will = continue=20 to support adequate shelter for all and sustainable human settlements = for=20 current and future generations, Governments at the appropriate levels, = in=20 partnership with all relevant interested parties, should:=20

(b) Protect existing forest resources and promote, where possible,=20 afforestation around and within human settlements in order to fulfil = basic=20 needs relating to energy, construction, recreation and food security;=20

(c) Encourage, where appropriate, the establishment of productive = and=20 recreational green belts around urban and rural agglomerations in = order to=20 protect their environment and contribute to the provision of food = products;=20

(d) Reduce significantly the degradation of the marine environment=20 emanating from land-based activities, including municipal, industrial = and=20 agricultural wastes and run-off, which have a pernicious impact on the = productive areas of the marine environment and coastal areas;=20

(e) Ensure that children have access to the natural world on a = daily basis=20 through free play outdoors, and establish education programmes to help = children investigate their community environments, including natural=20 ecosystems;=20

(f) Ensure adequate opportunity for public participation by all = interested=20 parties at all levels of environmental decision-making.

140. Water resources management in human settlements = presents an=20 outstanding challenge for sustainable development. It combines the = challenge of=20 securing for all the basic human need for a reliable supply of safe = drinking=20 water and meeting the competing demands of industry and agriculture, = which are=20 crucial to economic development and food security, without compromising = the=20 ability of future generations to meet their water needs.=20

141. Meeting this challenge requires an integrated = approach=20 to water resources management that takes cognizance of the links between = water,=20 sanitation and health, between the economy and the environment, and = between=20 cities and their hinterland, and harmonizes land-use planning and = housing=20 policies with water sector policies and ensures a comprehensive and = coherent=20 approach to setting and enforcing realistic standards. A strong = political=20 commitment, cooperation across disciplines and sectors, and an active=20 partnership of all interested parties is essential to integrated water = resources=20 management. To this end, Governments at the appropriate levels, in = partnership=20 with other interested parties, should:=20

(b) Establish strategies and criteria (biological, physical and = chemical=20 water quality) to preserve and restore aquatic ecosystems in a = holistic=20 manner, giving consideration to entire drainage basins and the living=20 resources contained therein;=20

(c) Manage supply and demand for water in an effective manner that = provides=20 for the basic requirements of human settlements development, while = paying due=20 regard to the carrying capacity of natural ecosystems;=20

(d) Promote the forging of partnerships between the public and = private=20 sectors and between institutions at the national and local levels so = as to=20 improve the allocative efficiency of investments in water and = sanitation and=20 to increase operational efficiency;=20

(e) Support responsible agencies in developing their capacity for = assessing=20 the demand of communities and incorporating such demand in the = planning of=20 environmental infrastructure services;=20

(f) Implement the institutional and legal reforms necessary to = remove=20 unnecessary overlaps and redundancies in the functions and = jurisdictions of=20 multiple sectoral institutions and to ensure effective coordination = among=20 those institutions in the delivery and management of services;=20

(g) Introduce economic instruments and regulatory measures to = reduce=20 wastage of water and encourage recycling and reuse of waste water;=20

(h) Develop strategies to reduce the demand for limited water = resources by=20 increasing efficiencies in the agricultural and industrial sectors;=20

(i) Carry out tenure regularization, as appropriate, in informal=20 settlements to achieve the minimum level of legal recognition required = for the=20 provision of basic services;=20

(j) Promote the development and use of efficient and safe sanitary = systems,=20 such as dry toilets, for the recycling of sewage and organic = components of=20 municipal solid waste into useful products such as fertilizers and = biogas;=20

(k) Take into consideration the needs of women in making = technological=20 choices in respect of the level of and access to basic services;=20

(l) Ensure the full and equal participation of women in all = decision-making=20 relating to water resource conservation, management and technological=20 choice.

142. To improve the liveability of = human=20 settlements, Governments at the appropriate levels and in partnership = with other=20 interested parties should promote:=20

(b) Interaction between and among different social groups through = the=20 development and maintenance of cultural facilities and communications=20 infrastructure;=20

(d) Legislation to safeguard the rights and interests of workers, = to=20 enhance consumer rights and to ensure security of tenure;=20

(e) An economic environment capable of generating employment = opportunities,=20 as well as offering a diversity of goods and services;=20

(f) Capacity-building, institutional development and civic = engagement to=20 contribute to integration and an overall productivity increase in = human=20 settlements.

143. In a globalizing economy, = the=20 increasing occurrence of transboundary pollution and the transfer across = national borders and regions of technologies hazardous to the = environment can=20 represent a serious threat to the environmental conditions of human = settlements=20 and the health of their inhabitants. Governments should therefore = cooperate to=20 develop further international legal mechanisms to implement principle 13 = of the=20 Rio Declaration regarding liability and compensation for adverse effects = of=20 environmental damage caused by activities within their jurisdiction or = control=20 to areas beyond their jurisdiction. The international community, = international=20 organizations and Governments should also seek appropriate preventive = measures=20 in cases of clear risk of major environmental accidents with = transboundary=20 effects. Furthermore, States should be guided by principle 16 of the Rio = Declaration, which encourages the approach that the polluter should, in=20 principle, bear the cost of pollution.=20

144. In seeking to prevent transboundary pollution = and=20 minimize its impact on human settlements when it does occur, Governments = should=20 cooperate to develop appropriate mechanisms for assessing the = environmental=20 impact of proposed activities that are likely to have a significant = adverse=20 impact on the environment, including an evaluation of relevant comments = provided=20 by other potentially affected countries. Governments should also = cooperate to=20 develop and implement mechanisms for prior and timely notification, = exchange of=20 information and consultation in good faith, and mitigation of the = potential=20 adverse effects regarding those activities, taking into account existing = international agreements and instruments.=20