The World Habitat Day is celebrated on 1 October 2012 to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all, to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.

Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Omar Niode Foundation feels it is necessary to understand the issue and along with others in the world commemorate this important day.

Changing Cities, Building Opportunities

The United Nations has decided this year theme Changing Cities, Building Opportunities because cities are the engines of growth. It is in the cities that many realize their dreams of a better life. Even if this is not achieved, still many more leave the rural areas and flock to the cities for no other reason than the promise of a better future and prosperity.

In his message for the World Habitat Day, Executive Director of UN-Habitat Dr. Joan Clos stated that the main challenges confronting cities and towns all over the world today include unemployment, especially among youth; social and economic inequalities; unsustainable energy consumption patterns; urban sprawl; high percentages of people living in slums; high levels of vulnerability to natural disasters; inadequate urban basic services, especially water, sanitation and energy; poor mobility systems and increasing emissions of greenhouse gases.

Jakarta a city with problems & opportunities 

Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, a melting pot with population approaching 10 million people, not counting its vicinities, is also facing numerous problems. This city, a center of social, cultural and economic activities and the gateway of Indonesia has pressing issues: traffic congestions, flooding, air pollution, housing shortage, waste management, and over population

The main challenge facing Jakarta city planners, as reported by Bruce Gale for The Straits Times in his article Huge problems in greater Jakarta  is the fact that effective solutions involve the cooperation of local governments that do not form part of the Jakarta Special Capital Region. Solving Jakarta's perennial flooding and urban waste, for example, requires cooperation from neighboring regencies that is sometimes difficult because they have their own development agendas.

Jakarta however is not all problems. It has communities that work as game changers in their beloved city.

Ismaya Group brings Jakarta Culinary Festival, a bi-annual epicurean month long festival that showcases the intricate craftsmanship of prestigious International chefs, vintners, local culinary stars, and many more.  The Jakarta Culinary Festival is widely acknowledged by the media, hospitality industry, and customers as a breakthrough that continued to push forward the evolvement of the world of culinary in Jakarta.

Jakarta Berkebun, a community movement for urban farming, works through the social media to spread enthusiasms in caring for the city and its environment. Urban farming is carried out by converting unused land into agricultural land /plantation through the efforts of surrounding communities which in turn will provide benefits to the society.

Ismaya Group and Jakarta Berkebun are just two of many communities in Jakarta that would benefit from global campaign.

I’m a City Changer

I'm a City Changer  is a worldwide campaign with the aim of sensitizing and creating awareness among citizens on urban issues to achieve better cities. The campaign works to achieve better cities and better life fostering proper sustainable urban development through key core components:

A Resilient City - Prepare cities for change, managing adversity, resilience and take action to reduce risk.

A Green City - Build environmentally sound and carbon efficient cities.

A Safe and Healthy City - Make cities safer and healthier.

An Inclusive City - Build socially inclusive, accessible, pro-poor, equitable and gender sensitive cities.

A Planned City - Plan the cities of tomorrow for sustainable decision-making processes.

A Productive City – Make cities more efficient and better places to ensure decent work.

While many of the ideas generated by world organizations seem too difficult to be carried out by individuals, there are ways that we can do to raise awareness in our cities.

Celebrate the World Habitat Day

As a guide, the UN Habitat suggested some activities that we can help organize even beyond the World Habitat Day , among others: 

Use mass media, particularly newspapers, radio and television, to draw attention to World Habitat Day celebrations.

Organize public information campaigns, and use popular theatre to create awareness of the problems and issues.

Use the occasion to publicize, reward and demonstrate tangible improvements in urban issues in your community.

Organize competitions to find solutions to human settlements and urban problems. Essay and painting competitions help create awareness of the World Habitat Day theme in schools and colleges.

Organize fund raising, recreational or entertainment activities like football matches, or concerts, and use the proceeds to upgrade and extend services for poor communities.

Dr. Joan Clos in his World Habitat Day message stressed for a new type of city – the city of the 21st century – a smart, people-centered city, one that is capable of integrating the tangible and more intangible aspects of prosperity; a city able to rid itself of the inefficient, unsustainable urban habits of the previous century. 

Jakarta residents recently elected their new governor. It is now time for all to work hard in making Jakarta the city of the 21^st century.

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Images: Maira Niode, DNPI, Jakarta Culinary Festival, UN Habitat