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City Managers’ of Orissa Celebrates “World Habitat Day”

Far away from The Hague City, Netherlands the City Mangers’ of Orissa, India celebrated World Habitat Day (WHD) at Bhubaneswar on 1st October 2007. This year the main function was held in Hague, Netherlands. The United Nations has designated the first Monday in October every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of human settlements and the basic right to adequate shelter for all.

The WHD theme for this year was “A safe city is a just city. Mr. Mihir Kuamr Mohanty, Mayor of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation inaugurated the conference organised on this occasion. The inaugural session started by welcoming of guests on the dias. Mr. Mohanty in his address, mentioned the importance of World Habitat Day and particularly the theme of this year. Crime is one of the serious threats to sustainable social and economic development of cities.

The Habitat Agenda commits nations to improving the living and working conditions. For making inclusive cities, Urban Planners, police, state and society require a dialogue on the creation of safe neighbourhoods. Mr. Nikunj Bihari Dhal, president CMAO added that pro-poor planning and skill development is required to protect the poor against the threat of eviction and insecurity of tenure. Mr. Dhal in his welcome address, emphasized on the marginalization of urban poor in the process of urbanisation.

Mr. Piyush Ranjan Rout, Executive Director, CMAO read the message of UNHABITAT. The message highlighted the importance of safety in selecting where to live, work, shop and play. As we reach halfway through MDG, there is a need to examine how to improve urban governance. Cities are biggest polluters and require big innovative thinking to reach a solution. On the World Habitat Day let us make our cities safer, greener, inclusive and secure places for everyone to live. Mr. Rout also made a brief presentation on best Practices on the theme. “The theme that brings us together is something that touches us all. Crime and fear of crime is growing inaptly fast at a time half of humanity is now living in urban areas" Mr Rout said.

The participants of the conference include representatives of Cities, Real Estate Developers Association, University, Housing & Urban Development Corporation, Directorate of Town Planning, Non Government Organisastion and Press & Media.,