Weekly Urban News Update
In This Update
OneRecap: Land Rights, Women and the New Urban Agenda

This past Monday, IHC  Global and Habitat for Humanity International's Solid Ground Campaign co-hosted an event  to celebrate World Habitat Day. The event was co-sponsored by the Housing and Urban Development Division of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and addressed the critical issue of land rights and gender under the New Urban Agenda. Featuring presentations by representatives of civil society and of governmental organizations, the session provided a well-rounded view of land issues in an urban context.

Anne Myers from the Habitat for Humanity International Solid Ground Campaign, stressed the foundational significance of land to adequate housing and described the Campaign for Solid Ground's efforts to mobilize local and global support. Anthony Piaskowy of USAID's urban programs talked about the prominence that land has in the New Urban Agenda and advanced a concept of an urban tenure continuum. CEO of Landesa Chris Jochnick commented on the linkages between rural and urban areas and the sometimes differing legal regimes governing the two. IDB Lead Specialist for Housing and Urban Development Robin Rajack, in a talk which he entitled "Finding the Rhythm, not Changing the Song" spoke persuasively about the need to design policy and programs that build on the economic and other priorities that drive stakeholder decisions rather than attempting to alter these and to recognize the roles of many categories of stakeholders.

Moderated by IHC Global CEO Judith Hermanson, the presentation s painted a challenging but on the whole hopeful picture -- that while there is still much room for improvement, civil society and governments are increasingly recognizing the fundamental importance of equal land rights, and many countries have made impressive strides. A  large presenceat Habitat III  supporting improved land rights will not only empower poor communities, it will elevate the women within them, and could lead to a positive impact on women's education, health and economic presence.

Look for a full summary of the event on our blog.
A Event: Urban Policies for Better Mediterranean Cities

The World Urban Campaign and WUC Associate Partner, Coopération pour le Développement et l'Amélioration des Transport Urbains et Périurbains (CODATU) will be hosting a webinar next week: Urban Policies for Better Mediterranean Cities: The Accessibility We Need. The webinar will cover the challenges for the Habitat III New Urban Agenda regarding the Middle East urbanization process. Through this webinar, CODATU aims to enhance its participation in the World Urban Campaign and emphasize the role of urban mobility in the New Urban Agenda. 

When: Tuesday, October 11th, 2016
12:00 PM CET (Paris, France time)

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B
Event: DC Housing Preservation Catalog Release

Urban housing in Washington DC is going through an enormous shift as the market soars to greater heights and residents face challenges in finding places they can afford. The District, through the Housing Production Trust Fund and other resources, is investing in creating and preserving affordable housing options across the city. The Urban Institute and the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) are hosting an event next week where they will be releasing a new tool, the DC Preservation Catalog, that will help identify housing around the District that may need intervention to support affordability. The release event will include a demonstration of the catalog and several speakers, including Robert J. Ford, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development chief of the Asset Management Branch, Multifamily - Northeast Region, and Stephen Glaude, executive director of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development.


When: Tuesday, October 11th, 2016
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM EDT
Where: Urban Institute,  5th Floor
2100 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
Click here to register.
HabitatHabitat III News
  • Registration for Habitat III has been extended until October 8th. Click here to register.
  • Click here to read the final draft of the New Urban Agenda.
  • The Habitat III organizers have released the full programs for plenary meetings, high-level roundtables, networking events, side events and more. Check it out here.
  • We want to hear from you. What are the most challenging aspects of the NUA? What are the two most important things cities can do to bring about meaningful change and greater equity? Click here to answer.
A full schedule of IHC Global's activities in Quito will be on our website's Habitat III page. Next week we will publish activities of our members and partners.
NewsIn the News and Around the Web
  • View from the top: click here to see Nairobi's intense urbanization from space.
  • As the Paris Agreement gains more traction, nations can deliver it by supporting their cities. Find out more here.
  • CityLab writer Richard Florida says there are seven types of global cities driving the world economy. Learn more here.
  • Does Airbnb have a gentrifying effect on cities? Read this Guardian Cities article here to find out.
  • Why are US mayors missing out on Habitat III? Find out here.
 
Migrant workers wait on the floor of the Beijing West Railway Station. China's migrant population is estimated at 278 million, and the challenges they face every day in crowded cities like Beijing are numerous and devastating. Source: Washington Post
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IHC Global will be actively participating in a number of Networking and Side Events at Habitat III, presented both by IHC Global and by IHC members and partners. IHC Global is also seeking input on the most important actions that can be taken under the NUA to change lives (see above) and we want to make your voice heard! To support us on our road to Quito, visit our  GoFundMe page.

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