The pace of urban growth continues unstoppably and the numbers show this: it is estimated that the city population will increase from 56% of the global total in 2021 to 68% in 2050, which represents an increase of 2.2 billion people . It is an increase that constitutes a true demographic explosion, with impacts ranging from sanitation to housing, including economic issues. And the tendency is for social challenges to become even more complex with the increase in climate change.
This is a scenario that is not new in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the executive president of the region’s development bank (CAF), Sergio Díaz-Granados, even speaking of “a region of contrasts”. If on the one hand, it comprises “one of the largest extensions of land on the planet”, on the other it is “the most urbanized region, with more than 80% of the population living in cities”, with a process that “occurred quickly and in a disorderly manner since the 1950s, which has generated situations of overcrowding, unsafe migration, labor informality, more inequalities, pressure on the provision of social services and deterioration of natural resources”.
billion people is what the UN estimates to be the peak of the global human population, according to the most recent data, which will be reached sometime in the 2080s. From then on, the population will begin to decline
Problems that could worsen if measures are not taken to face the challenges. New solutions are needed, with Sergio Díaz-Granados emphasizing that it is urgent to “generate more innovative responses to foster urban development policies that integrate nature-based solutions on a large scale.” With the certainty that “many of these responses have to come from the cities”, given the difficult situation.
Take the example of urban waste in Portugal. In 2023, 5.338 million tons were produced, 0.28% more than in 2022, according to the Portuguese Environment Agency, which corresponds to a daily production of 1.4 kg per inhabitant. Something that in itself does not indicate anything wrong, but if we see that undifferentiated collection (common waste) represents 77% of the waste collected, while recycling represents only 21%, it becomes clear that it is necessary to change and invest in synergies that help services promote greater quality of life and compliance with environmental goals.
“Being [o turismo] an economic activity with a significant role in generating wealth in Portugal, must contribute to sustainable development, creating opportunities to regenerate and revitalize the territory”, points out Leonor Picão
The complex panorama serves as a backdrop for the conference “Renaturalization and Urban Revitalization”, organized by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, with Expresso as media partnerand which will bring together next Wednesday, October 16th, in Lisbon, several municipal, governmental and other bodies responsible between Portugal and this geographical space united by dimensions as specific as the integration of nature-based solutions, the interconnection between climate change and culture, the potential of projects that link heritage to biodiversity or the role of tourism.
“When practiced in a responsible and sustainable way, tourism plays a fundamental role in the revitalization of urban areas”, argues Leonor Picão, coordinating director of the Directorate of Resources and Supply of Tourism in Portugal. “Whether by enhancing cultural heritage, strengthening the local economy or creating jobs, among many other aspects, this is an economic activity that benefits and brings value to communities.” For the person responsible, “urban planning must be based on an environmental revitalization strategy, whose central challenge is the recovery of public space, in order to guarantee access to green and leisure areas”. Altogether, “tourism can be a powerful tool in meeting decarbonization goals, through urban requalification and revitalization, contributing to greater resilience in cities in adapting to crises and risks arising from climate change”, which “will have an impact positive impact on the sustainability of the territories where tourist activity takes place”.
Find out more details about the event with the event sheet below.
What is it?
The event organized by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, which has Expresso as media partneraims to address the environmental and social challenges faced by cities, through the exchange of new territorial paradigms that aim at sustainability. This includes the integration of resilient infrastructure, with a focus on nature-based solutions, the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and harnessing the creative potential of cities.
When, where and at what time?
The event will take place next Wednesday, October 16th, at Casa da América Latina, in Lisbon, starting at 9am.
Who are the speakers?
- António Almeida Lima, vice-president of the Casa da América Latina Executive Committee
- Carlos Moedas, president of Lisbon City Council
- Almudena Maíllo, Secretary General of the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities (UCCI)
- Christian Asinelli, Corporate Vice President of Strategic Programming at CAF
- Ángel Cárdenas, director of Urban Development, Water and Creative Economies at CAF
- Paola Pabón, prefect of Pichincha, Equador
- Gabriel Madrid Orue, president of Câmara Municipal de Piura, Peru
- Leonor Picão, coordinating director of the Resources and Supply Department of Tourism in Portugal
- Rui Manuel Serrano Raposo, mayor of Vidigueira
- Emil Rodríguez, director of Habitat and Sustainable Mobility at CAF
- Leonardo Boto, president of the City Council of Luján, Argentina
- Ivo Ferreira, president of the Municipal Council of Sobral, Brazil
- Carlos Carreiras, president of Cascais City Council
- Karla Montes, Urban Planning Coordinator, Santa Ana, Costa Rica
- Angie Palacios, chief executive of Habitat and Sustainable Mobility at CAF
- José Manuel Pereira Ribeiro, president of the Board of Directors of LIPOR
- Mónica Cappellini, President of CEAMSE, Argentina
- Juan Alberto Álvarez Andrade, mayor of Chancay, Peru
- Ana Loureiro, director of Mota-Engil Ambiente and Member of ISWA
- Carlota Real, main executive of Water and Sanitation Technical Analysis and Assessment
- Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF
- Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, Minister of State and Finance
Why is this topic central?
Because cities face multiple environmental and social challenges that require an urban resilience approach and the harnessing of local values to promote inclusive economic development. This implies the adoption of integrated approaches that consider land use planning or urban mobility, for example. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to advance policies, plans, programs and projects that promote biodiversity conservation and, on the other, investment in infrastructure that guarantees a better quality of life.
This project is supported by sponsors, with all content created, edited and produced by Expresso (see Code of Conduct), without external interference.
