World Habitat Day - October 5, 1998
Message from Executive Director United Nations Centre for Human Settlements

The theme for this year’s World Habitat Day - “Safer Cities” - is a reflection of the growing concern about escalating urban violence, crime and insecurity among citizens around the globe.  Worldwide, urban violence is estimated to have grown by between 3 and 5 per cent a year over the last two decades.  This is true not only in regions that are highly urbanized such as Europe and North America, but also in Africa, which is both the least urbanized continent and one with the highest urban population growth rates.

Urban violence is not a spontaneous phenomenon, but above all, the product of a society characterized by inequality and social exclusion.  Measures that protect urban communities from deprivation, unemployment, homelessness, illiteracy, injustice and social disintegration will ultimately also protect them from crime and violence.

However, although rapid urbanization and poverty are linked to the scale and extent of urban violence and crime, other factors such as the political and economic climate, as well as social factors also play a role.  Erosion of moral values and the collapse of social structures and institutions, such as the family or the neighbourhood, puts communities more at risk of urban violence and crime.

The consequences of urban violence are manifold.  It not only imposes loss, injury and emotional trauma on individuals, but breeds insecurity which leads to distrust, intolerance, isolation and, in some cases, violent reactions.  The growth of urban vigilante groups and the meeting of “mob justice” in many cities are the result of people’s lack of trust in the justice systems which force them to take the law into their own hands.

Rising crime is also bringing about major changes in the landscapes and patterns of daily living in urban areas.  For instance, in some cities, violence and insecurity are curtailing people’s movements and use of public transport.  Paralyzed by fear, people, particularly women - choose not to use the streets, parks and other public spaces altogether.  This kind of self-imposed social isolation among large sections of the urban population affects not only their mobility, but also their productivity as more and more people choose to stay at home rather than risk their lives on the streets.

Human misery aside, crime also financially cripples Governments, particularly in developing countries which  typically spend approximately 10 per cent of their national budgets on crime control.

It was in recognition of these facts that the world’s Governments adopted the Habitat Agenda in June 1996 which acknowledges that “prevention of crime and promotion of sustainable communities are essential to the attainment of safe and secure cities”.    Prevention policies at the city level should include forging partnerships between municipal authorities, community organizations, the police and judicial systems and making social development an integral part of crime prevention programmes.  The Habitat Agenda underscores the importance of social development as a crime prevention measure by urging Governments to find “ways to help communities deal with underlying factors that undermine community safety and result in crime by addressing such critical problems as poverty, inequality, family stress, unemployment, absence of educational and vocational opportunities, and lack of health care, including mental health services”.

It is my sincere hope that people everywhere will mark World Habitat Day this year - Monday, 5th October- by  looking at  ways in which to make their cities safer so they can be freely enjoyed by all young, old women, men, girls and boys.  As stated in the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements - endorsed by Heads of State or Government and official delegations attending the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) - “Our cities must be places where human beings lead fulfilling lives in dignity, safety, happiness and hope”.   q

Klaus Topfer, Acting Executive Director, UNCHS

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