"Decision makers have to take their share of responsibility regarding affordable housing"
Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Joan Clos echoes "Housing for All" vision
Brussels, 1 June 2016 | Published in UrbanWhat could be the ideal outcome of putting housing at the center of the New Urban Agenda of Habitat? Which are the elements of the right policy mix to address the lack of affordable, quality housing? How does a key figure like him interpret the "Housing for All"? The former mayor of Barcelona also found some time to share with Housing Europe his ideas about the right policy mix to combat the lack of affordable housing but also to explain what the "Housing for All" vision of our campaign means to him.
During his latest visit to Brussels the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Dr. Joan Clos took time to share with Housing Europe his ideas about the housing policies of the future as part of the response to the global urban challenges.
Watch all 3 video statements by Joan Clos on our YouTube Channel
Setting the tone for Quito
The former mayor of Barcelona set the tone for Habitat III while presenting the Zero Draft of the New Urban Agenda to the Brussels stakeholders on May 31st: "The problem of urbanization in the modern world is political. [...] Therefore, it requires political investment, political commitment and involvement from decision makers and member states".
The declaration of Quito should help us idenitfy clearly What and Who about the New Urban Agenda, highlighted Dr. Clos. What concrete actions need to be taken and who are these authorities that have to take the responsibility to deliver.
Furthermore, according to the Secretary General of Habitat III, the conference should not come up with sectorial solutions. "This has been of the biggest mistakes in urban policies over the last years. We now need to focus on integrated solutions that allow an urban management that prioritizes the needs."
"The problem of urbanization is a systemic problem, this is why central governments should take their share of responsibility. The private sector can and should not take the urban planning responsibility", concluded Dr. Clos.
