Urban Transformation in Asia and the Pacific – ESCAP Report Highlights

1. The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has released a report on urban transformation in the region.
2. The report warns that Asia’s megacities are facing an increasingly uncertain future.
3. Seven out of the world’s ten most populous cities are located in Asia, including Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai, and Dhaka.

Key Findings of the Report

1. Rising temperatures are placing severe pressure on urban infrastructure and healthcare systems.
2. The urban heat island effect is intensifying city temperatures, with serious consequences for the elderly and economically vulnerable.
3. Ageing population is a major concern, with older persons in Asia and the Pacific projected to reach 1.3 billion by 2050, nearly double the 2024 figure.
4. Informal settlements are expanding as housing costs rise while wages remain stagnant, leading to the growth of slums.

Recommendations for Addressing Urban Challenges

1. Strengthen regional cooperation to foster knowledge sharing and encourage cities to become leaders in sustainable urban development.
2. Implement integrated national urban policies to improve coordination across governance levels and align with national development goals.
3. Build local and subnational capacities to effectively use disaggregated data for localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
4. Promote innovative urban financing mechanisms, including property tax reforms to enhance municipal revenue generation.
5. Improve urban planning capabilities to manage issues like population ageing, youth migration, and cross-border migration.

About ESCAP – United Nations Regional Commission

1. ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions under the United Nations framework.
2. It was established in 1947 as the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE), and renamed to ESCAP in 1976.
3. Headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.
4. It works with 53 member States, including India, and 9 associate members.
5. ESCAP’s core mission is to promote regional cooperation and provide solutions to sustainable development challenges.