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On world day, UN chief highlights urban design in building sustainable cities

Xinhua, November 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

Marking the World Cities Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called for good urban design to help build sustainable, socially integrated and prosperous urban environment for all.

In his message to the world day, Ban said: "Good design can help tackle climate change. It reduces the impacts of disaster."

"It can help make our cities safer, cleaner, and more equal and integrative. It promotes equal access to services, jobs and opportunities, and fosters contentment," he added.

Noting the newly adopted sustainable development agenda has included the goal to "make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable," Ban said cities and human settlements have an important role to play in the agenda.

"Cities and human settlements are places we live, share, create, build and dream together," he said. "Let us use good design to make them sustainable, inclusive and prosperous for all."

In 2013, the UN General Assembly designated Oct. 31 as World Cities Day, recognizing the significance of urban basic services as a foundation for the overall social and economic development.

The theme of the 2015 World Cities Day promotes togetherness and harmony, making our cities and neighborhoods inclusive and livable. Enditem