United for Enhancing Quality of Life in Cities an Inter-Regional Approach

What defines Quality of Life in cities around the world? How do regions tackle the challenges to make urban living better—and do their approaches align or differ?

Join our event to dive into these questions and not miss the insights!

Raphaelle Vignol

Facilitator

November 7, 2024 | 11:00 - 12:30

ONE UN room B

UNESCWA - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

Lebanon

English

Reference:

UN-B 12

WUF12

ONE UN

Summary

Quality of life in cities has become a critical focus for urban planners, policymakers, and residents worldwide. As urbanization continues to accelerate, cities face complex challenges that directly affect the well-being of their inhabitants. These challenges range from access to essential services like housing, healthcare, education, and transportation to broader issues such as environmental sustainability, economic opportunities, social cohesion, and equitable urban development. In response to these growing urban challenges, and as part of the Quality of Life initiative led by UN-Habitat, in collaboration with UNESCWA and Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life Programme, the five United Nations Regional Commissions have united to organize a ONE UN event titled, 'United for Enhancing Quality of Life in Cities: An Inter-Regional Approach”.

This event aims to explore the inter-regional perspectives on quality of life in cities, illuminating both commonalities and regional nuances. It aims to guide policymakers in enhancing quality of life by identifying key regional strategies that drive positive change. By showcasing how diverse regions tackle similar challenges with tailored approaches reflecting their unique social, economic, and environmental contexts, the event aims to transcend geographical boundaries.
Taking a holistic approach, the event will delve into critical factors such as social inclusion, access to basic services, healthcare, environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and governance. These elements are pivotal in fostering inclusive, sustainable, and resilient cities. Moreover, the event will highlight how inter-regional collaboration, and shared learning can empower cities to improve quality of life, addressing disparities and promoting policies that prioritize equity and inclusion.
By building stronger partnerships and leveraging regional expertise, this event aims to be a catalyst for transformative urban development, ultimately contributing to cities that are not only more vibrant and prosperous but also equitable, inclusive, and conducive to human well-being.

Objectives

This ONE UN Event will explore the objectives of the Quality of Life Initiative by examining the determinants of urban well-being from an inter-regional perspective, in collaboration with United Nations Regional Commissions.

By analyzing both the convergence and divergence in quality of life across different regions, the event will highlight common challenges, opportunities, and priority areas for intervention.

Audience participation will play a key role in shaping an inter-regional position paper, which will contribute to the development of evidence-based policies and strategies aimed at improving urban quality of life worldwide.

The One UN event on United for Enhancing Quality of Life in Cities expects, among others, to reach a united position on Quality of life in cities and to:
- Raise Awareness: Promote understanding of the interconnectedness of urban issues and the need for inter-sectoral planning to enhance quality of life in cities.

- Foster Collaboration: Encourage cross-regional collaboration among urban stakeholders to address complex urban challenges through shared expertise and resources, emphasizing a united inter-regional position on quality of life.

- Identify Priority Actions: Establish key inter-regional priorities for improving quality of life in cities, reinforcing a commitment to unity, and invite participation in the Quality of Life Initiative's scale-up phase.