Archived News Items - February 2008

Special Focus on Sanitation at the 2008 World Water Week in Stockholm 2/18/2008
The World Water Week (August 17-23, 2008) in Stockholm is the leading annual global meeting place for capacity-building, partnership-building and follow-up on the implementation of international processes and programmes in water and development. As part of the UN International Year of Sanitation, the 2008 World Water Week in Stockholm ‘Progress and Prospects on Water – For a Clean and Healthy World’ will place special focus on sanitation issues. With more than 2 and half billion people lacking access to safe sanitation and over 5,000 children dying each day from preventable diseases as a result, the 2008 World Water Week aims to elevate the debate and share experiences from both the successes and failures in order to learn how to best move forward for progress. The week will highlight issues ranging from global response, urban sanitation, national policy and community dynamics, to research, implementation and socio-economic approaches.

The future cohesion policy should be based on “regional happiness” and subsidiarity 2/18/2008
The future EU cohesion policy must be based on the principles of subsidiarity and territorial solidarity, but should also use a wider set of criteria for the allocation of funding. These are two of the main points in the response of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) to the consultation on the future of cohesion policy. It is time to move beyond purely economic data as the way to decide which regions can benefit from what funding in the framework of cohesion policy, says CEMR secretary general Jeremy Smith. Across Europe there is a growing consensus that there should be a better way to address this. Measuring the level of “regional happiness” can be done by combining a number of criteria such as quality of employment, decentralisation, quality of transport as well as other socio-cultural, socio-demographic and socio-environmental factors

DEXIA-CEMR's joint study: key figures on European local and regional government 2/18/2008
DEXIA group and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) have published the second edition of their joint study on the state of local and regional authorities in Europe. This set of 12 factsheets includes the key figures on European local and regional government. The 2007 edition features detailed key data on the internal organisation of European countries, public sector financial aspects (expenditures, public investments, public debt), structural and cohesion funds, town twining, or the representation of elected women in municipalities.

2008 UN-HABITAT Lecture Award 2/18/2008
The Global Research Network on Human Settlements (HS-Net) wishes to inform you that it is accepting nominations for the 2008 UN-HABITAT Lecture Award. The Award seeks to recognize and encourage outstanding and sustained contributions to research, thinking and practice in the human settlements field. The designated region for the 2008 Award is Asia and the Pacific. The deadline for submission of nominations is 31 March 2008

US cities launch database in fight against illegal guns 2/18/2008
Eleven cities along the US east coast are launching a database to combat the spread of illegal guns. The database will pool information collected from local police forces. It will come into operation during 2008. A spokesman for the group of cities, which includes New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, said that the database would make it more difficult for illegal gun dealers to do business throughout the Interstate 95 corridor. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who co-founded the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition together with Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, said the federal government hadn’t done enough to curb the use of illegal guns. "This is exactly the kind of system that the federal government should be building for cities, but since they don't seem to be doing it, we are doing it on our own," he said. "Right now, cities are fighting largely in isolation." Batimore mayor Sheila Dixon agreed: "Violent crime, particularly gun crime, is not just a local problem, it’s a national problem." However, a spokesman for the National Rifle Association, an organisation promoting the ownership of guns, said law enforcement already had more than enough tools to combat gun crimes and the project sounded more like a publicity stunt.

Irish PM considers congestion charges 2/18/2008
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern suggested that introducing a congestion charge in some cities would be the best way to reduce traffic and improve air pollution. “We have to face up to what other cities are doing, sooner rather than later. If we're serious about emissions and congestion we can't continue the way it's been,'' Ahern told the Irish parliament. At the start of this year, the government approved higher taxes on the most polluting cars. According to Bloomberg Information Service, almost half of the 560,000 people who daily travel to work in Dublin use a car. Only 20 per cent of commuters travel by public transport. A spokesman for the Irish environment ministry said that road transport generated about 20 per cent of the EU’s CO2 emission, with cars being responsible for some 12 per cent. The new Irish car tax will take effect in July for cars that emit the most carbon dioxide, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The maximum annual tax on cars will increase to 2,000 euros (US$2,911) from 1,491 euros under the current system, which is based on engine size. The new tax will be levied on a tiered basis, with the highest rate applied to vehicles with an emission rate of more than 225 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer (0.6 mile). Vehicle registration tax, paid when a car is bought, will also be based on emissions.

Development cooperation: "We need to co-operate more closely for our mutual interest" 2/18/2008
We need to co-operate more closely for our mutual interest”. That was the message that came from the Euro-Arab Cities Forum held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 10-11th February. The Forum, “A New Dialogue.for Development”, was the third in a series dating back to 1988. It brought together the Mayors and representatives of over 40 of Europe's major cities, and a like number from Arab cities across North Africa and the Middle East. The conference declaration asked that this Forum should be organised every three years, to be “a platform for improving partnership relations among European and Arab cities”, organising exchanges, studies and conferences to achieve a common vision as a “necessary condition for a stable and peaceful world”. CEMR Secretary-General Jeremy Smith said “it is essential that, in today's more insecure world, we have better relations and co-operation between Europe and the Arab world – and it is at city and local level that the best progress can often be made. We are grateful to the Municipality of Dubai for making it possible to reopen our dialogue after a long gap. We need to build on this positive start.”

The region of Nord-Est in Romania is the poorest region in Europe, Inner London remains the richest 2/18/2008
The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the region of Nord-Est (Romania) is four times lower than the average in Europe (24%). At the other extreme, Inner London's GDP per capita is three times higher (303%) than the.average, according to Eurostat, the European Union's statistical information service. In 2005, one region in six was above 125% of the average in Europe; Inner London, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Brussels being the three richest regions in Europe. Among the 42 regions exceeding the 125% level, eight were in Germany, five each in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, four each in Italy and Austria and three each in Belgium and Spain. ...and one region in four below 75% The fifteen lowest regions in the ranking were all in Bulgaria, Poland and Romania. Among the 69 regions below the 75% level, fifteen were in Poland, eight in Romania, seven in the Czech Republic, and six each in Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary. Among all the regions from the 12 new Member States, only Prague was above the average (160%).

Amount of municipal waste "to grow by 25 % by 2020" 2/18/2008
A study by the European Environment Agency states that the amount of municipal waste produced each year is expected to grow by 25 % from 2005 to 2020. Each European citizen currently produces an average of over half a tonne.of municipal waste a year. This amount should further increase to 680 kg per person by 2020. This projected continuing increase in waste volumes is primarily due to an assumed sustained growth in private final consumption. However, there are significant differences between citizens from the old (EU-15) and the new EU Member States (EU-12). While an EU-15 citizen generated 570 kg on average in 2004, the figure was only 335 kg for an EU-12 citizen. Disposal by landfilling has always been the predominant treatment method for municipal waste, but over the last two decades considerable reductions in landfilling have taken place. In 2004, 47 % of total EU municipal waste was landfilled. This is expected to decrease further to around 35 % by 2020.

Youths converge on UN Africa headquarters in Kenya to launch a peace campaign 2/11/2008
UN-HABITAT and UNICEF held a peace meeting at UN headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday in an effort to persuade young Kenyans to be ambassadors for peace in their troubled country. And the stories and tears flowed as young people recounted what happened as post-election violence ushered in a grim new year for the East African country. The most vivid memory Aisha Abdulaziz remembers was of the well dressed man pleading for his life as an enraged mob attacked him with long ‘machete’ knives, clubs any other available weapon. “All that I could do was to watch in horror even as I asked, echoing what the victim seemed to be saying, why no one was coming to the rescue. On my own, I could do nothing but I thought that with all the people around, at least someone would have enough courage to stop the killing taking place right before our eyes,” she says. As a resident of Kibera, Africa’s largest slum sitting cheek and jowl with some of the most opulent estates of Nairobi, the 21 year-old Aisha found herself in the eye of the storm that was the violence which, erupted in Kenya after the disputed last December elections. Kibera is in the constituency represented by opposition chief, Mr. Raila Odinga, who is disputing the re-election of Mr. Mwai Kibaki as president. The violence has claimed some 700 lives and over a quarter million people displaced. Countless thousands have lost their homes, businesses and everything they own. http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?cid=5542&catid=5&typeid=6&subMenuId=0

Strategic Planning for Water Sustainability: March 2008 2/11/2008
Urban planners from major European cities and beyond are invited to share their expertise and experiences at the international symposium ‘Cities of the Future – Strategic Planning for Water Sustainability’ taking place in Delft (Netherlands) on 6 March 2008. In facilitated workshops, participants will explore the application of technological and institutional innovations as well as success factors for urban water planning. The symposium is organized by the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education. It is part of SWITCH (www.switchurbanwater.eu), a research project developing new strategies to cope with global change pressures and aiming to achieve sustainable urban water systems. ICLEI is a member of the project’s consortium of more than 30 partners, and is particularly responsible for the coordination of all training activities (www.switchtraining.eu). More information can be found at http://www.switchurbanwater.eu/page/2425, or by contacting Ms Adje Kerkhof, UNESCO-IHE, at a.kerkhof@unesco-ihe.org.

Power blackout leaves Zimbabwe cities without water and electricity 2/11/2008
Following a major power blackout over the weekend of 2/3 February, which the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority blamed on a system malfunction, most parts of Harare still had no electricity or water two days later. Nearby Chitungwiza has had no water or power for nine days. Electricity in Bulawayo has been turned off almost daily for four to 12 hours at a time. Bulawayo reservoirs are full, but residents have had no water for the past four days. In eastern Mutare, residents said electric power had been available for up to 12 hours a day in the past two days; previously it was on for just two hours a day.

The world’s first ecological city to be built in Abu Dhabi 2/11/2008
Abu Dhabi broke ground on Masdar City, the world's first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city. The milestone event was marked by the laying of a virtual cornerstone by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. In conjunction with the groundbreaking, Masdar CEO Dr Al Jaber announced a total development budget for the city of US$22 billion. Of that investment total, Masdar ("the source" in Arabic) will contribute $4 billion to develop the city's infrastructure. The remaining $18 billion will come through direct investments and the creation of various financial instruments to raise needed capital. An essential driver for the development of the city is carbon finance. Carbon emissions reduced by Masdar City will be monetized under the Kyoto Protocol's clean development mechanism. In addition to full-time residents, Masdar City will seek to attract and encourage collaboration between experts in sustainable transportation; waste management; water and wastewater conservation; green construction, buildings and industrial materials; recycling; biodiversity; climate change, renewable energy and green financial institutions. Masdar will maximize the benefits of sustainable technologies, such as photovoltaic cells and concentrated solar power, through an integrated planning and design approach. By implementing these technologies, Masdar City will save the equivalent of more than US $2 billion in oil over the next 25 years, based on today's energy prices. The city will also create more than 70,000 jobs and will add more than two per cent to Abu Dhabi's annual GDP. "We are creating a city where residents and commuters will live the highest quality of life with the lowest environmental footprint," Al Jaber said.

Detroit mayor insists God was on his side 2/11/2008
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who last month came under strong pressure to resign over sexual relations with his chief of staff Christine Beatty, claimed in an radio interview that he was on assignment from God in his position as mayor. “Detroit is moving forward and I believe it is because of the team that has been assembled here and it is also because God is continuing to smile on us.” The mayor continued to tell the radio interviewer that the person or the entity or God who put him there wanted him to quit. “I've never been a quitter and I'm not going to start now. So I'm not resigning,” Kilpatrick emphasised. However currently, a prosecutor is investigating whether the mayor and chief of staff lied under oath during a lawsuit last summer in which both denied having had a physical relationship. A conviction of lying under oath can bring up to 15 years’ imprisonment. Asked whether he would contest the next mayoral elections, Mayor Kilpatrick said that in 2009 people would have an opportunity to make a decision. “But I will make a case at that point to why I am the best person for the job,” he said. He continued to tell his audience that at this particular point he had an intention of being mayor. “You know until God tells me to do something else.”

Luc Van den Brande elected President of Committee of the Regions 2/11/2008
"EU institutions need to work more closely with local and regional governments", Luc Van den Brande, newly elected President of the EU's Committee of the Regions, said at its plenary session in Brussels, on 6 February. Luc Van den Brande, who has been a member of the CoR since its creation in 1994, will serve for two years in the post. He succeeds Michel Delebarre, Mayor of Dunkirk, France. Addressing the plenary after his election, Luc Van den Brande undeligned the importance of multi-level governing in Europe in order to respond to the issues which matter most to the public, including affordable housing, jobs, education, lifelong learning, affordable and accessible healthcare, and solidarity between the generations. We must jettison the hierarchical idea of Europe as a pyramid with the EU above the Member States, the Member States above the regions, and the regions above the towns and local authorities. We must strive for a new partnership between the different levels of government that allows the various tiers to work together on an equal footing in order to achieve jointly defined objectives. What we need is not a 'Europe of the regions' but a 'Europe with the regions, towns and local authorities. Luc Van den Brande listed seven priority areas where he sees the CoR bringing added value: (1) the reform of the European budget; (2) energy policy and climate change; (3) the Lisbon objectives; (4) cohesion policy and the European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation; (5) cultural diversity; (6) neighbourhood policy; and (7) multilevel governance and subsidiarity.

Pisa Conference "Acting Locally for Equality": opening of registrations until 8 February 2008 2/11/2008
Participate in the Pisa conference on “The Implementation of the European Charter for Equality between Women and Men in Local Life”, on 20 and 21 February 2008. Contact your national association to register (before 8 February 2008). The conference "Acting locally for equality" will mark the 25th anniversary of the first conference of local and regional elected women representatives of CEMR, which took place in the same city. It will be the occasion to evaluate the first steps towards the implementation of the Charter, as well as allow for an assessment of European policies and CEMR actions for equality carried over the last 25 years. Based on the early experiences of the signatories and examples of implementation gathered throughout the project by CEMR, this conference will focus on key priorities for local and regional government in their work on implementing the Charter, in order to begin to draw up means to support the Charter in years to come at European level. Link to the programme Venue: Teatro Verdi, Via Palestro, 40 / 56127 Pisa http://admin5.geniebuilder.com/users/ccre/membres_en.htm

Bertrand Delanoë invites Bill Gates to exchange experiences with UCLG 2/4/2008
On occasion of the signing of the agreement of collaboration between the City of Paris and Microsoft for start-up companies and the provision of development aid, Bertrand Delanoë has invited Bill Gates, as Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to participate in forthcoming meetings of the governing bodies of UCLG in Quito and Istanbul, in 2008. Bill Gates has highlighted the fundamental and indisputable role played by cities and their networks towards achievement of objectives set out by his foundation. Created in 2000, the primary aims of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are, globally, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty.

UN-HABITAT supports shelter needs of Kenya’s victims of violence 2/4/2008
In partnership with the United Nations Country Team and the Government of Kenya, UN-HABITAT is working to establish the extent of the destruction and loss of housing, land and property following the violence arising from the recent elections. According to current estimates, up to 250,000 people have been displaced from their homes in slums and in rural areas. UN-HABITAT Executive Director Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka said that as a member of the UN Executive Committee on Humanitarian Affairs, UN-HABITAT is supporting humanitarian agencies address the immediate shelter needs of the displaced. UN-HABITAT is also working to establish long term mechanisms for sustainable resettlement. “We are going to work with the Emergency Shelter and Early Recovery Clusters to assist the humanitarian community and government in identifying and planning relocation areas and original sites especially in the slum settlements. A clear understanding and appreciation of the complexity of land issues is critical,” she said. http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?cid=5513&catid=5&typeid=6&subMenuId=0

WWF works with Chinese cities to cut carbon use 2/4/2008
Shanghai and Baoding (some 140 kilometres south of Beijing) have become the first cities to take part in a new WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) initiative to research less carbon-intensive paths to urban development in China, the international environmental organization said. The Low Carbon City Initiative will initially focus on energy efficiency in buildings, renewable sources of energy and the manufacturing of energy-efficient products. The participants plan to show how rapid economic growth and energy consumption can be separated in order to reduce the environmental effect of carbon dioxide emissions and growing energy consumption. "Cities are an important part of China's economic development, but many face problems such as low energy efficiency and degraded environmental quality," Li Lin, head of conservation strategies at WWF-China, said. The WWF will collaborate with Shanghai in measuring energy use in selected public buildings such as offices, hotels and malls. The data they gather will then be audited and made public, and training programs will be carried out to encourage energy efficiency in public buildings. The WWF will also help conduct policy research to promote greener construction and set up demonstration projects in Shanghai.

DEXIA-CEMR's joint study: key figures on European local and regional government 2/4/2008
DEXIA group and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) have published the second edition of their joint study on the state of local and regional authorities in Europe. This set of 12 factsheets includes the key.figures on European local and regional govenrment. The 2007 edition features detailed key data on the internal organisation of European countries, public sector financial aspects (expenditures, public investments, public debt), structural and cohesion funds, town twining, or the representation of elected women in municipalities. The study reveals that sub-national public expenditures represent some 16% of the European GDP, and their investments 2/3 of all public investments. It also shows that 40% of all European local govenments are French, that Germany holds the largest number of twinned towns; and that Latvia has the largest percentage of women mayors (35%). http://www.ccre.org/news_detail_en.htm?ID=1240

Services of general interest: a new interactive website to answer your questions 2/4/2008
Is a municipality allowed to decide to provide itself a social service? To what extent do public procurement rules apply to inter-municipal cooperation? Get direct answers to your queries via the European.Commission's new "Interactive Information Service" website. This new service provides users with direct personal answers to questions on the impact of European law on services of general interest (public services covering essential daily issues such as energy, transport, postal services, schools, health and socials services, etc). The information service consists of two elements: replies to individual questions and a list of frequently asked questions which will be updated on a regular basis. It is available in English, French and German. Questions should therefore be asked in these three languages and answers will only be given in English, French or German. The Commission intends to add all official EU languages in future. http://ec.europa.eu/services_general_interest/index_en.htm

International Year of Sanitation events 2/4/2008
In support of the United Nations International Year of Sanitation, World Toilet Organization presents two action-led events, World Toilet Summit & Expo (WTSE) and World Sanitation Fund Forum (WSFF) from 4-6 November 2008 in Macau. The events are organised in partnership with Asian Development Bank, and supported by Ashoka Innovators of the Public, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Sanitation Alliance and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and The Pacific. They will tackle sanitation challenges of the world through action-oriented platforms which feature high-level discussions among the public and private sectors, and leading-edge sanitation solutions showcases with innovative and practical solutions from leading industry names. More information can be found at www.worldtoiletevents.com.

China reports widening gap between urban rich and poor 2/4/2008
While China's urban poor are struggling because of rising inflation and medium income earners are precluded from up-market consumption, the urban rich are spending more and more to pursue a luxury lifestyle. The end-of-year report by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences found 10 per cent of low income families in urban areas had per capita incomes 38.3 per cent of the national average while the disposable income of urban high income earners was almost 2.26 times the national average. Almost half the incomes of poor families went on food and medical costs took another 15 per cent, the report said. Lives of the impoverished, mostly farmers, the unemployed and laid-off workers, became even harder with last year's rising inflation. China's consumer price index, the main gauge of inflation, climbed 6.9 per cent in November, marking the fourth consecutive month when the index rose more than six per cent. The price rises have already affected ordinary people, according to a previous report by Xinhua news agency. Rocketing inflation was caused mainly by food prices which comprise about a third of the index. "Controlling food prices and maintaining their stability are extremely important foundations for our social stability," said the report’s authors. According to the report, the per capita disposable income in urban areas rose 13 per cent in 2007, surpassing the forecast gross domestic product growth of 11.4 per cent last year.

Strategic objectives of URBAN-NET 2/4/2008
URBAN-NET is a network of 15 research funding or facilitating partners in 12 European countries and UN Habitat. Its aim is to structure and coordinate research on urban sustainable development within the European Research Area. URBAN-NET intends to enhance transnational research activities through addressing and identifying shared requirements for research, opening of joint research programmes, and supporting associated activities such as conferences and workshops. URBAN-NET also aims to coordinate the dissemination of existing knowledge, practical experience and applications of research.

Online planning network, Planetizen selects the best books in the field for 2007 2/4/2008
Two books on city and land use planning from Island Press have been selected for the year’s top ten list from online planning and development network, Planetizen. Design Charrettes for Sustainable Communities, by Patrick M. Condon, and The Option of Urbanism: Investing in a New American Dream, by Christopher B. Leinberger were both selected as among “the best ideas and writing in the field.” Condon’s book lends insight into the integrated planning process that can transform cities and neighborhoods according to the needs of residents. From the Planetizen website: “[Condon’s] advice is equally applicable to public officials, developers and the general public—offering an insider’s view into the somewhat complicated process of pushing plans forward with both transparency and an ear to the public voice.” Leinberger’s The Option of Urbanism was covered nationwide for its ideas on how cities can adapt to be less reliant on cars, and develop more mixed-use, concentrated neighborhoods. This important book shows how market preference for the typical American suburb, characteristic of the country’s development over the last 60 years, is on the decline. “The age of ‘Leave It to Beaver’ is being complemented by the era of ‘Seinfeld,’” writes Leinberger. These books on Planetizen’s seventh annual list were selected based on editorial reviews, sales rankings, popularity, Planetizen reader nominations, number of references, recommendations from experts, and the book’s potential impact on the urban planning, development and design professions. Island Press, a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization, was established in 1984 to stimulate, shape, and communicate the ideas that are essential for solving environmental problems. Island Press's books, outreach, and programs help stimulate new approaches, educate professionals and the public, and prepare the next generation of environmental leaders.

Neighbourhood – The International Journal of Neighbourhood Renewal 2/4/2008
On the 30th January 2008 at the ‘Regeneration is 30’ Conference in Liverpool United Kingdom a new journal focusing upon the promotion of effective Neighbourhood Renewal strategies was launched. The International Journal of Neighbourhood Renewal is an exciting new journal that seeks to publish articles and book reviews that focus upon sharing good practice in Neighbourhood Renewal and promoting good research and evaluation in the field. The first edition of the Journal will be published in September 2008 and a call for papers is now being made. If you wish to submit a paper for inclusion in the Journal please visit the website www.ijnr.co.uk and visit the ‘Call for Papers’ Section and complete a synopsis form.

European Covenant of Mayors launched to address climate protection 2/4/2008
During the European Sustainable Energy Week, a groundbreaking initiative for European cities and towns was launched on 29 January 2008 - the Covenant of Mayors. This initiative encourages European cities and towns to act in the field of climate protection, and is an important step in recognising the importance of community action to achieve a sustainable energy future and reduce the human impact on climate change. A clear message sent by Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs is that citizens are important - they need to engage in climate protection activities, and their local governments need to motivate community action, as well as guide and support the process. Ten mayors and deputy mayors, eight of whom represent ICLEI members, shared the podium during the launch of the Covenant, providing a summary of their most effective actions achieved through policies, support instruments and technical expertise. They also motivated other mayors to join the Covenant. Deputy Mayor of London, Nicky Gavron said: "Tackling climate change is an overriding imperative - the battle against climate change will be won or lost in cities", and stressed the value of international networking such as the C40 (a group linking 40 of the largest cities in the world that are committed to climate protection) and ICLEI's "superb" Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. Reductions of greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved in the manifold areas where energy is used in communities - from buildings (electricity, space heating or cooling) to transport (combining improved air quality with human fitness and the use of clearer fuels), from waste to water management. Katrin Lompscher, Berlin Senator for Health and Environmental Protection, shared results of the Energy Plan that particularly focuses on energy (and cost) savings and energy efficiency in buildings, and is reviewed every 5 years to align it to priorities. She stresses the value of partnerships with a variety of local stakeholders, such as housing and hospital associations, city sanitation and energy service providers.

India's urban poor need 40 mn houses, 500 health centres 2/4/2008
In a paper 'Housing and Health Facilities for Urban Poor', the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India estimates that a meagre investment of Rs 7 billion is required to provide basic living and health facilities to poor urban-dwellers. Over 40 million low-cost dwellings and 500 additional urban health and family welfare centres need to be built to provide basic housing and health facilities to India's approximately 190 million urban poor. Meanwhile, a significant number of urban Indians are spending between Rs 30-Rs 40 lakh per dwelling. These are the findings of a recent document by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). http://topics.developmentgateway.org/urban/rc/ItemDetail.do?itemId=1131979