Asia Pacific countries accounting for 55% of global urban population have adopted the Urban Plus approach taking urban planning and development beyond city limits to prevent unmanageable and unsustainable urban expansion.
This was the core of the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ adopted on the conclusion of three day deliberations of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD).
The theme of the conference was
‘Emerging Urban Forms-Policy Reforms and Governance Structures in the Context of New Urban Agenda’In the Implementation Plan that was also adopted, the member countries have also strongly recommended formulation of National Human Settlement Policies to promote inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable city and human settlements.
New Delhi Declaration has strongly advocated planning for urban and adjoining rural areas in an integrated manner instead of looking at them as independent entities.
The Declaration also called for a thorough review of existing policies and formulation of new policies to promote New Urban Agenda adopted at the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Development in Quito, Eucador in Oct 2016.
This was the first such meeting held to discuss ways of realising the New Urban Agenda that was finalised during the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (also known as “Habitat III” conference).
The next biennial APMCHUD Conference will be hosted by Iran in 2018.
