Planners Media Cell

01/05/2025

Basic urban services aren’t basic. They’re the hidden engine behind public health, jobs, and climate resilience.

In rapidly urbanizing regions, the presence (or absence) of basic urban services shapes everything from public health to climate resilience and economic potential.

Yet, 1 in 4 urban residents globally lacks access to safely managed drinking water, and over 1 billion people live in informal settlements without reliable urban services​​.

Let’s unpack what these services are and why they’re critical:

🔹 They support daily life

Clean water, electricity, sanitation, and waste collection are non-negotiable for urban health and dignity. For example, poor sanitation contributes to 432,000 deaths annually worldwide due to diarrheal diseases (WHO).

🔹 They enable economic activity

Without functional transport systems, digital connectivity, and energy infrastructure, cities cannot attract investment or create jobs. Transport inefficiencies alone can cost cities 2–5% of their GDP annually (UN-Habitat).

🔹 They protect health and the environment

Urban services like drainage, air quality monitoring, and nature-based solutions can reduce disease risks and urban heat island effects. 🌿 Nature-based solutions in informal areas can improve resilience while reducing costs by up to 40% compared to grey infrastructure​.

🔹 They build resilience to climate shocks

Cities are climate frontlines. Basic services are lifelines during floods, heatwaves, and droughts. Yet, in 2022 only 20% of countries explicitly linked basic services with urban climate resilience in their NDCs.

🔹 They ensure no one is left behind

Equitable access to schools, healthcare, housing, and social services bridges gaps in opportunity. Inclusive services are not a luxury — they are the backbone of a just urban future.

🛠️ As urban professionals, it’s time to push for climate-smart, community-driven basic services that address today’s crises and tomorrow’s growth.

💬 What’s one essential service your city is investing in — or struggling to deliver?

SOURCES:
1. World Cities Report 2024 – UN-Habitat
2. Global State of National Urban Policy 2024 – UN-Habitat & OECD
3. WHO – Sanitation and Health Fact Sheets
4. The Urban Content of the NDCs: Global Review 2022 – UN-Habitat

28/04/2025

Human Priorities defined quality of services or justice for Rights

22/03/2025

Chengdu, China’s “Park City”, is proving that urbanisation doesn’t have to come at the cost of nature.

Imagine living in a city where:
✅ You wake up to snow-capped mountains from your balcony
✅ Step outside into 1,500+ parks 🌳
✅ Walk or cycle through 16,900 km of greenways 🚴‍♂️
✅ Live alongside giant pandas in protected habitats 🐼
✅ Enjoy a city that’s designed around nature, not just concrete

Green spaces aren’t just for weekends. In Chengdu, they’re woven into daily life.

With projects like:
🌱 The Giant Panda National Park – nearly 1,500 km² of protected habitat
🌿 Longquan Mountain Forest Park – a 1,275 km² “green heart” at the city’s centre
🚶‍♂️ The Tianfu Greenway – the world’s longest planned urban greenway

Most cities treat nature as an afterthought. Chengdu made it the foundation.

It’s a model for cities worldwide, blending biodiversity, innovation, and community-driven climate action.

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Marvelous Planning and Engineering works

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Best building control and Administration!