To prevent unsustainable urban expansion, Asia Pacific countries, that account for over 55 per cent of global urban population, have resolved to adopt 'Urban Plus' approach, taking development beyond city limits.
This was part of the 'New Delhi Declaration' adopted here today on the conclusion of the three-day deliberations of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD).
The theme of the conference was 'Emerging Urban Forms - Policy Reforms and Governance Structures in the Context of New Urban Agenda'.
In the 'Implementation Plan', that was also adopted, the member countries have strongly recommended formulation of 'National Human Settlement Policies' to promote inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable city with human settlements.
Briefing media persons on the deliberations and outcomes of APMCHUD, MoS for Urban Development Rao Inderjit Singh stated that the New Delhi Declaration has strongly advocated planning for urban and adjoining rural areas in an integrated manner instead of independent entities.
The Declaration also called for a thorough review of existing policies and formulation of new ones to promote 'New Urban Agenda' adopted at the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Development in Quito (Eucador) in October this year.
The key to sustainable development in urban areas was the effective governance, the Declaration stressed.
The Implementation Plan recommended land regulation policy mechanisms such as land pooling, enforcement and incentivisation of timely execution of infrastructure projects, formulation of comprehensive urban parking policies and community participation in urban planning, among others.
In view of the vulnerability of most of the Asia Pacific countries to natural disasters and other risks, the Implementation Plan has recommended urban resilience as a criteria for investment.
Resilience is the ability of cities to withstand and absorb disasters and maintain normal services and quickly return to normalcy.
The member countries adopted the New Delhi Declaration and the Implementation Plan by thumping of desks after they were read out by the Union Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, M Venkaiah Naidu.
The next biennial APMCHUD will be hosted by Iran, the Urban Development minister Naidu informed.
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