Creating Sustainable Global Cities

The United Nations has designated the first Monday in October of every year as World Habitat Day. During this day, citizens around the globe reflect on the state of our urban areas, reaffirm the basic right of adequate shelter and remind the world of its collective responsibility to the future of the human habitat. This year, President Barack Obama’s administration is collaborating with UN-HABITAT to bring the first global celebration of World Habitat Day to the United States and to Washington, D.C.

On October 6, the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program hosted an event and panel discussion focused on creating sustainable global cities. The program highlighted metropolitan models for managing climate change while restoring national economies and advancing opportunities for low-income populations. Brookings President Strobe Talbott, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UN-HABITAT Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka, and Metropolitan Policy Director Bruce Katz opened the event. Lisa Heinzerling, associate administrator for the Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented the administration’s goals on climate change and sustainability. Darren Walker, vice president for foundation initiatives at the Rockefeller Foundation, moderated a discussion with U.S. and international leaders on how federal and national policies can empower comprehensive local climate change and sustainability plans.

After the program, panelists took audience questions.

Bruce Katz (Vice President and Director, Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings)		Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels addresses the audience while Darren Walker (Vice President, Foundation Initiatives of the Rockefeller Foundation) looks on.
Janette Sadik-Khan (Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation) speaks while Chetan Shah (Gujarat, India Chamber of Commerce) looks on.		Lisa Heinzerling (Associate Administrator, Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation, Environmental Protection Agency).