Post Covid-19 Cities Should Lead the Way to a Healthier Future for All: Report

Nairobi: A new report has called for post covid-19 cities to lead the way to a fairer, greener and healthier future for all

UN-Habitat’s new report - Cities and Pandemics: Towards a more just, green and healthy future – demonstrates how cities can reduce the impact of future pandemics and become more equitable, healthy and environmentally friendly. 



According to the report, urban areas have been at the forefront of the covid-19 crisis, with 95 per cent of all cases recorded in cities in the first months.  

Despite these pressures, many local governments and community leaders have responded quickly and effectively to prevent the spread of the pandemic and mitigate its effects, taking the first steps towards an accelerate recovery.

"Cities are engines of dynamism and innovation, and can help us overcome development deficits. They can spearhead reforms towards a New Social Contract to tackle poverty, strengthen social protection, restore public trust and reach people who are on the margins or who face discrimination," stated the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a press release on Tuesday.

Based on the documentation of more than 1,700 cities and well-founded policy analysis, the UN-Habitat Report provides both empirical evidence on the state of cities and recommendations for actions for a sustainable recovery

The UN-Habitat Report’s recommendations include an increased focus at the local level on planning neighbourhoods and communities that are multi-functional and inclusive. 

The Report explores how well planned cities combining residential and commercial with public spaces along with affordable housing can improve public health, the local economy and the environment.

The Report also calls for cities to be at the forefront of moves towards a Social Contract between governments, the public, civil society and private sector.


(WAH)