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HABITAT: United Nations Conference on Human
Settlements,
Aware that the Conference was convened following
recommendation of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
and subsequent resolutions of the General Assembly, particularly
resolution 3128 (XXVIII) by which the nations of the world expressed their
concern over the extremely serious condition of human settlements,
particularly that which prevails in developing countries,
Recognizing that international co-operation,
based on the principles of the United Nations Charter. has to be developed
and strengthened in order to provide solutions for world problems and to
create an international community based on equity, justice and solidarity.
Recalling the decisions of the United Nations
Conference on the Human Environment, as well as the recommendations of the
World Population Conference, the United Nations World Food Conference, the
Second General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development
Organization, the World Conference of the International Women's Year; the
Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the sixth special session
of the General Assembly of the United Nations and the Charter of Economic
Rights and Duties or States that establish the basis of the New
International Economic Order,
Noting that the condition of human settlements
largely determines the quality of life, the improvement of which is a
prerequisite for the full satisfaction of basic needs, such as employment,
housing, health services, education and recreation,
Recognizing that the problems of human
settlements are not isolated from the social and economic development of
countries and that they cannot be set apart from existing unjust
international economic relations,
Being deeply concerned with the increasing
difficulties facing the world in satisfying the basic needs and
aspirations of peoples consistent with principles of human dignity,
Recognizing that the circumstances of life for
vast numbers of people in human settlements are unacceptable, particularly
in developing countries, and that, unless positive and concrete action is
taken at national and international levels to find and implement
solutions, these conditions are likely to be further aggravated, as a
result of:
Inequitable economic growth, reflected in the
wide disparities in wealth which now exist between countries and between
human beings and which condemn millions of people to a life of poverty,
without satisfying the basic requirements for food, education, health
services, shelter, environmental hygiene, water and energy;
Social, economic, ecological and environmental
deterioration which are exemplified at the national and international
levels by inequalities in living conditions, social segregation, racial
discrimination, acute unemployment, illiteracy, disease and poverty, the
breakdown of social relationships and traditional cultural values and the
increasing degradation of life-supporting resources of air, water and
land;
World population growth trends which indicate
that numbers of mankind in the next 25 years would double, thereby more
than doubling the need for food, shelter and all other requirements for
life and human dignity which are at the present inadequately met:
Uncontrolled urbanization and consequent
conditions of overcrowding, pollution, deterioration and psychological
tensions in metropolitan regions;
Rural backwardness which compels a large majority
of mankind to live at the lowest standards of living and contribute to
uncontrolled urban growth;
Rural dispersion exemplified by small scattered
settlements and isolated homesteads which inhibit the provision of
infrastructure and services, particularly those relating to water, health
and education;
Involuntary migration, politically, racially, and
economically motivated, relocation and expulsion of people from their
national homeland.
Recognizing also that the establishment of a just
and equitable world economic order through necessary changes in the areas
of international trade, monetary systems, industrialization, transfer of
resources, transfer of technology, and the consumption of world resources,
is essential for socio-economic development and improvement of human
settlement, particularly in developing countries,
Recognizing further that these problems pose a
formidable challenge to human understanding, imagination, ingenuity and
resolve, and that new priorities to promote the qualitative dimensions to
economic development, as well as a new political commitment to find
solutions resulting in the practical implementation of the New
International Economic Order, become imperative:
I. OPPORTUNITIES AND SOLUTIONS
1. Mankind must not be daunted by the scale of
the task ahead. There is need for awareness of and responsibility for
increased activity of the national Governments and international
community, aimed at mobilization of economic resources, institutional
changes and international solidarity by:
(a)
Adopting bold, meaningful and effective human settlement policies and
spatial planning strategies realistically adapted to local conditions;
(b) Creating more
livable, attractive and efficient settlements which recognize human scale,
the heritage and culture of people and the special needs of disadvantaged
groups especially children, women and the infirm in order to ensure the
provision of health, services, education, food and employment within a
framework of social justice;
(c) Creating
possibilities for effective participation by all people in the planning,
building and management of their human settlements;
(d) Developing
innovative approaches in formulating and implementing settlement
programmes through more appropriate use of science and technology and
adequate national and international financing;
(e) Utilizing the most
effective means of communications for the exchange of knowledge and
experience in the field of human settlements;
(f) Strengthening
bonds of international co-operation both regionally and globally;
(g) Creating economic
opportunities conducive to full employment where, under healthy, safe
conditions, women and men will be fairly compensated for their labour in
monetary, health and other personal benefits.
2. In meeting this challenge, human settlements
must be seen as an instrument and object of development. The goals of
settlement policies are inseparable from the goals of every sector of
social and economic life. The solutions to the problems of human
settlements must therefore be conceived as an integral part of the
development process of individual nations and the world community.
3. With these opportunities and considerations in
mind, and being agreed on the necessity of finding common principles that
will guide Governments and the world community in solving the problems of
human settlements, the Conference proclaims the following general
principles and guidelines for action.
II. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
1. The improvement of the quality of life of
human beings is the first and most important objective of every human
settlement policy. These policies must facilitate the rapid and continuous
improvement in the quality of life of all people, beginning with the
satisfaction of the basic needs of food, shelter, clean water, employment,
health, education, training, social security without any discrimination as
to race, colour, sex, language, religion, ideology, national or social
origin or other cause, in a frame of freedom, dignity and social justice.
2. In striving to achieve this objective,
priority must be given to the needs of the most disadvantaged people.
3. Economic development should lead to the
satisfaction of human needs and is a necessary means towards achieving a
better quality of life, provided that it contributes to a more equitable
distribution of its benefits among people and nations. In this context
particular attention should be paid to the accelerated transition in
developing countries from primary development to secondary development
activities, and particularly to industrial development.
4. Human dignity and the exercise of free choice
consistent with over-all public welfare are basic rights which must be
assured in every society. It is therefore the duty of all people and
Governments to join the struggle against any form of colonialism, foreign
aggression and occupation, domination, apartheid and all forms of racism
and racial discrimination referred to in the resolutions as adopted by the
General Assembly of the United Nations.
5. The establishment of settlements in
territories occupied by force is illegal. It is condemned by the
international community. However, action still remains to be taken against
the establishment of such settlements.
6. The right of free movement and the right of
each individual to choose the place of settlement within the domain of his
own country should be recognized and safeguarded.
7. Every State has the sovereign and inalienable
right to choose its economic system, as well as its political, social and
cultural system, in accordance with the will of its people, without
interference, coercion or external threat of any kind.
8. Every State has the right to exercise full and
permanent sovereignty over its wealth, natural resources and economic
activities, adopting the necessary measures for the planning and
management of its resources, providing for the protection, preservation
and enhancement of the environment.
9. Every country should have the right to be a
sovereign inheritor of its own cultural values created throughout its
history, and has the duty to preserve them as an integral part of the
cultural heritage of mankind.
10. Land is one of the fundamental elements in
human settlements. Every State has the right to take the necessary steps
to maintain under public control the use, possession, disposal and
reservation of land. Every State has the right to plan and regulate use of
land, which is one of its most important resources, in such a way that the
growth of population centres both urban and rural are based on a
comprehensive land use plan. Such measures must assure the attainment of
basic goals of social and economic reform for every country, in conformity
with its national and land tenure system and legislation.
11. The nations must avoid the pollution of the
biosphere and the oceans and should join in the effort to end irrational
exploitation of all environmental resources, whether non-renewable or
renewable in the long term. The environment is the common heritage of
mankind and its protection is the responsibility of the whole
international can unity. All acts by nations and people should therefore
be inspired by a deep respect for the protection of the environmental
resources upon which life itself depends.
12. The waste and misuse of resources in war and
armaments should be prevented. All countries should make a firm commitment
to promote general and complete disarmament under strict and effective
international control, in particular in the field of nuclear disarmament.
Part of the resources thus released should be utilized so as to achieve a
better quality of life for humanity and particularly the peoples of
developing countries.
13. All persons have the right and the duty to
participate, individually and collectively in the elaboration and
implementation of policies and programmes of their human settlements.
14. To achieve universal progress in the quality
of life, a fair and balanced structure of the economic relations between
States has to be promoted. It is therefore essential to implement urgently
the New International Economic Order, based on the Declaration and
Programme of Action approved by the General Assembly in its sixth special
session, and on the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States.
15. The highest priority should be placed on the
rehabilitation of expelled and homeless people who have been displaced by
natural or man-made catastrophes, and especially by the act of foreign
aggression. In the latter case, all countries have the duty to fully
co-operate in order to guarantee that the parties involved allow the
return of displaced persons to their homes and to give them the right to
possess and enjoy their properties and belongings without interference.
16. Historical settlements, monuments and other
items of national heritage, including religious heritage, should be
safeguarded against any acts of aggression or abuse by the occupying
Power.
17. Every State has the sovereign right to rule
and exercise effective control over foreign investments, including the
transnational corporations - within its national jurisdiction, which
affect directly or indirectly the human settlements programmes.
18. All countries, particularly developing
countries, must create conditions which make possible the full integration
of women and youth in political, economic and social activities,
particularly in the planning and implementation of human settlement
proposals and in all the associated activities, on the basis of equal
rights, in order to achieve an efficient and full utilization of available
human resources, bearing in mind that women constitute half of the world
population;
19. International co-operation is an objective
and a common duty of all States, and necessary efforts must therefore be
made to accelerate the social and economic development of developing
countries, within the framework of favourable external conditions, which
are compatible with their needs and aspirations and which contains the due
respect for the sovereign equality of all States.
III. GUIDELINES FOR ACTION
1. It is recommended that Governments and
international organizations should make every effort to take urgent action
as set out in the following Guidelines:
2. It is the responsibility of Governments to
prepare spatial strategy plans and adopt human settlement policies to
guide the socio-economic development efforts. Such policies must be an
essential component of an over-all development strategy, linking and
harmonizing them with policies on industrialization, agriculture, social
welfare, and environmental and cultural preservation so that each supports
the other in a progressive improvement in well-being of all mankind.
3. A human settlement policy must seek harmonious
integration or co-ordination of a wide variety of components, including,
for example, population growth and distribution, employment, shelter, land
use, infrastructure and services. Governments must create mechanisms and
institutions to develop and implement such a policy.
4. It is of paramount importance that national
and international efforts give priority to improving the rural habitat. In
this context, efforts should be made towards the reduction of disparities
between rural and urban areas, as needed between regions and within urban
areas themselves, for a harmonious development of human settlements.
5. The demographic, natural and economic
characteristics of many countries, require policies on growth and
distribution of population, land tenure and localization of productive
activities to ensure orderly processes of urbanization and arrange for
rational occupation of rural space.
6. Human settlement policies and programmes
should define and strive for progressive minimum standards for an
acceptable quality of life. These standards will vary within and between
countries, as well as over periods of time, and therefore must be subject
to change in accordance with conditions and possibilities. Some standards
are most appropriately defined in quantitative terms, thus providing
precisely defined targets at the local and national levels. Others must be
qualitative, with their achievement subject to felt need. At the same
time, social justice and a fair sharing of resources demand the
discouragement of excessive consumption.
7. Attention must also be drawn to the
detrimental effects of transposing standards and criteria that can only be
adopted by minorities and could heighten inequalities, the misuse of
resources and the social, cultural and ecological deterioration of the
developing countries.
8. Adequate shelter and services are a basic
human right which places an obligation on Governments to ensure their
attainment by all people, beginning with direct assistance to the least
advantaged through guided programmes of self-help and community action.
Governments should endeavour to remove all impediments hindering
attainments of these goals. or special importance is the elimination of
social and racial segregation, inter alia, through the creation of better
balanced communities, which blend different social groups, occupation,
housing and amenities.
9. Health is an essential element in the
development of the individual and one of the goals of human settlement
policies should be to improve environmental health conditions and basic
health services.
10. Basic human dignity is the right of people,
individually and collectively, to participate directly in shaping the
policies end programmes affecting their lives. The process of choosing and
carrying out a given course of action for human settlement improvement
should be designed expressly to fulfil that right. Effective human
settlement policies require a continuous co-operative relationship between
a Government and its people at all levels. It is recommended that national
Governments promote programmes that will encourage and assist local
authorities to participate to a greater extent in national development.
11. Since a genuine human settlement policy requires
the effective participation of the entire population, recourse must therefore
be made at all times to technical arrangements permitting the use of all
human resources, both skilled and unskilled. The equal participation of
women must be guaranteed. These goals must be associated with a global
training programme to facilitate the introduction and use of technologies
that maximize productive employment.
12. International and national institutions should promote and institute
education programmes and courses in the subject of "human settlements".
13. Land is an essential element in development of both urban and rural
settlements. The use and tenure of land should be subject to public control
because of its limited supply through appropriate measures and legislation
including agrarian reform policies - as an essential basis for integrated
rural development - that will facilitate the transfer of economic resources
to the agricultural sector and the promotion of the agor - industrial
effort, so as to improve the integration and organization of human settlements,
in accordance with national development plans and programmes. The increaes
in the value of land as a result of public decision investment should
be recaptured for the benefit of society as a whole. Governments should
also ensure that prime agricultural land is destined to its most vital
use.
14. Human settlements are characterized by significant disparities in
living standards and opportunities. Harmonious development of human settlements
requires the reduction of disparities between rural and urban areas, between
regions and within regions themselves. Governments should adopt policies
which aim at decreasing the differences between living standards and opportunities
in urban and non-urban areas. Such policies at the national level should
be supplemented by policies designed to reduce disparities between countries
within the framework of the New International Economic Order.
15. In achieving the socio - economic and environmental objectives of
the development of human settlements, high priority should be given to
the actual design and physical planning processes which have as their
main tasks the synthesis of various planning approaches and the transformation
of broad and general goals into specific design solutions. The sensitive
and comprehensive design methodologies related to the particular circumstances
of time and space, and based on consideration of the human scale should
be pursued and encouraged.
16. The design of human settlements should aim at providing a ilving environment
in which identities of individuals, families and societies are preserved
and adequate means for maintaining privacy, the possibility of face-to-face
interactions and public participation in the decision-making process are
provided.
17. A human settlement is more than a grouping of people, shelter and
work places. Diversity in the characteristics of human settlements reflecting
cultural and aesthetic values must be respected and encouraged and areas
of historical, religious of archaeological importance and nature areas
of special interest preserved for posterity. Places of worship, especially
in areas of expanding human settlements, should be provided and recognized
in order to satisfy the spiritual and religious needs of different groups
in accordance with freedom of religious expression.
18. Governments and the international community should facilitate the
transfer of relevant technology and experience and should encourage and
assist the creation of endogenous technology better suited to the sociocultural
characteristics and patterns of population by means of bilateral or multilateral
agreements having regard to the sovereignty and interest of the participating
States. The knowledge and experience accumulated on the subject of human
settlements should be available to all countries. Research and academic
institutions should contribute more fully to this effort by giving greater
attention to human settlements problems.
19. Access should be granted, on more favourable terms, to modern technology,
which should be adapted, as necessary, to the specific economic. social
and ecological conditions and to the different stages of development of
the developing countries. Efforts must be made to ensure that the commercial
practices governing the transfer of technology are adapted to the needs
of the developing countries and to ensure that buyers` rights are not
abused.
20. International, technical and financial co-operation by the developed
countries with the developing countries must be conducted on the basis
of respect for national sovereignty and national development plans and
programmes and designed to solve problems relating to projects, under
human settlement programmes, aimed at enhancing the quality of life of
the inhabitants.
21. Due attention should be given to implementation of conservation and
recycling technologies.
22. In the planning and management of human settlements, Governments should
take into consideration all pertinent recommendations on human settlements
planning which have emerged from earlier conferences dealing with the
quality of life and development problems which affect it, starting with
the high global priority represented by the transformation of the economic
order at the national and international levels (sixth and seventh special
sessions), the environmental impact of human settlements (Stockholm Conference
on the Human Environment), the housing and sanitary ramifications of population
growth (World population Conference, Bucharest), rural development and
the need to increase food supply (World Food Conference, Rome) and the
effect on women of housing and urban development (International Women's
Conference, Mexico City).
23. While planning new human settlements of restructuring existing ones,
a high priority should be given to the promotion of optimal and creative
conditions of human coexistence. This implies the creation of a well-structured
urban space on a human scale, the close interconnexion of the different
urban functions, the relief of urban man from intolerable psychological
tensions due to overcrowding and chaos, the creation of chances of human
encounters and the elimination of urban concepts leading to human isolation.
24. Guided by the foregoing principles, the international community must
exercise its responsibility to support national efforts to meet the human
settlements challenges facing them. Since resources of Governments are
inadequate to meet all needs, the international community should provide
the necessary financial and technical assistance, evolve appropriate institutional
arrangements and seek new effective ways to promote them. In the meantime,
assistance to developing countries must at least reach the percentage
targets set in the International Development Strategy for the Second United
Nations Development Decade.
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