Will Habitat III produce an effective "new urban agenda?"

On Thursday 5 May 2016 , IIED hosted a meeting to discuss and analyse the key issues ahead of one of this year's most important global summits, Habitat III - and to launch the new issue of the journal Environment & Urbanization.

  1. The event brought together experts in urbanisation and development to look at at the prospects for, and potential outcomes of, Habitat III.
  2. The stated aim of Habitat III is to agree a 'new urban agenda' that will support the implementation of the SDGs in urban areas. Working groups have been drafting the agenda in preparation for formal agreement by governments at the global summit, which will convene in Quito, Ecuador in October 2016.
  3. The #IIEDUrban event features 4 urbanisation/development experts @OfficialUoM's Caroline Moser, @dee_are_dee, @Dsatterthwaite & @GMcGranahan
  4. Today's @IIED briefing in London to feature the April issue of Environment & Urbanization #IIEDUrban  http://ow.ly/4mZxqH 
  5. The stage is set for @iied's event: Will Habitat 3 produce an effective "new urban agenda?" #IIEDUrban https://t.co/uNj1sDj9ih
    The stage is set for @IIED's event: Will Habitat 3 produce an effective "new urban agenda?" #IIEDUrban pic.twitter.com/uNj1sDj9ih
  6. IIED director Andrew Norton opened the event, followed by Gordon McGranahan, research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, who asked 'what is inclusive urbanisation, why is it important, and how can it be achieved?'
  7. IIED director @andynortondev opens the event and sets the scene with background on Habitat 3 and cities discourse #postParis #IIEDUrban
  8. 'Cities as "engines of growth" ignores socio-enviro consequences thereof & politics of economic growth' #IIEDUrban https://t.co/U4xvuTZbZx
    'Cities as "engines of growth" ignores socio-enviro consequences thereof & politics of economic growth' #IIEDUrban pic.twitter.com/U4xvuTZbZx
  9. Gordon McGranahan: 'Inclusion' is mentioned >40 times in the 2030 Agenda. 'Exclusion' and 'equity' aren't mentioned at all. #IIEDUrban
  10. Inclusion has become the word of choice for framing social development #iiedurban
  11. Will the new urban agenda actually address gender equality? Caroline Moser emeritus professor at the University of Manchester addressed this question next...
  12. Caroline Moser, emeritus professor, @ManchesterUniv now talking about gender equality and the new urban agenda #IIEDUrban
  13. Urban agenda needs to move towards transformative gender change in order to deliver what women need from their cities by 2030. #iiedurban
  14. Accumulation of assets can be transformative for gender equality despite barriers - moser #iiedurban
  15. Exciting talks at #IIEDUrban -Caroline Moser of UT portfolio on how to bring gender to centre of #NewUrbanAgenda @IIED @UNHABITAT #Habitat3
  16. 'When women's rights are integrated into land reform policy, you can have a much stronger transformation' #IIEDUrban https://t.co/dc0LHPEFYX
    'When women's rights are integrated into land reform policy, you can have a much stronger transformation' #IIEDUrban pic.twitter.com/dc0LHPEFYX
  17. Prof Moser: Civil society networks like @WIEGOGLOBAL & @sdinet are transforming urban processes & meaningfully empowering women. #IIEDUrban
  18. 'In making more gender-inclusive cities, there's a difference between individual empowerment & structural transformative change' #IIEDUrban
  19. Including women in Habitat III negotiations cannot guarantee gender transformation but could lay the foundations says C Moser #iiedurban
  20. IIED senior fellow David Satterthwaite was next up and introduced the latest issue of the journal Environment & Urbanization, 'From the MDGs to the SDGs and Habitat III'. He also discussed the question, can Habitat III produce a document that does influence government policies and practices?
  21. 26 years, 1000 papers, 10000 subscribers: congratulations, Environment and Urbanization! #IIEDUrban @Dsatterthwaite
  22. At #IIEDUrban UT portfolio mmbr @Dsatterthwaite "if #SDGs and #ParisAgreement = what must be done for environment + urban, #Habitat3 = how"
  23. 'New Urban Agenda needs to highlight role of local govt. because >60% #SDGs rely on them to implement' #IIEDUrban https://t.co/qTAluiy0On
    'New Urban Agenda needs to highlight role of local govt. because >60% #SDGs rely on them to implement' #IIEDUrban pic.twitter.com/qTAluiy0On
  24. Understanding inclusion & transformation in Habitat III @IIED #IIEDUrban @Dsatterthwaite emphasises role of local govts in new urban agenda
  25. David Dodman, director of IIED's Human Settlements Group, then provided an update on the UN drafting process and his thoughts on the process for preparing the new urban agenda.
  26. David Dodman @dee_are_dee on the UN process to develop the new urban agenda #iiedurban
  27. .@dee_are_dee now explaining the process and his experiences of the consultative meeting structure #IIEDUrban
  28. .@dee_are_dee: So far, Habitat III processes have offered little opportunity for NGOs or local authorities to contribute. #IIEDUrban
  29. .@s_colenbrander *partially* true – lots of opportunity for input to H3, but lack of clarity how inputs will be incorporated #IIEDUrban
  30. Positive engagement on informal housing and informal economy @dee_are_dee #IIEDUrban but little detail on finance
  31. Next steps? Zero draft document due today or tomorrow. Full timeline in presentation -->  http://www.slideshare.net/theIIED/preparing-the-new-urban-agenda  @dee_are_dee #IIEDUrban
  32. Then it was over to a lively Q&A session with lots of interesting thoughts and comments from the audience and reflections from our panel of experts.
  33. The floor now open for the Q&A session, first question on new urban agenda on water and if conclusive to sustainable agenda #IIEDUrban
  34. Interesting panel discussion on New Urban agenda Habitat III #IIEDUrban https://t.co/veOhv7YRWd
    Interesting panel discussion on New Urban agenda Habitat III #IIEDUrban pic.twitter.com/veOhv7YRWd
  35. Concluding remarks from @andynortondev and that's a wrap for coverage of this evenings event #IIEDUrban. Storify to follow tomorrow!