World Habitat Day 2011

First Monday of October every year is declared World Habitat Day. Today, 3rd of October is the Day. World Habitat Day is organised to raise awareness on the need of having quality, affordable and sustainable settlements and at the same time to celebrate achievements that enhancing the living environment for human being. It is a Day celebrated world wide especially in UN-Habitat at Nairobi, Africa.

While many have been achieved for improving the living environment and shelter for people, many have yet to be done simply because of the effectiveness of programmes and capacity of the organisers and beneficiaries. For example, eradicating the poverty is top agenda of the list, but the income disparity is getting wider now not only between the developed and undeveloped countries but also inter cities or even rural and urban area in a developed country. The job opportunity is shrinking in the developed nation because of shifting of industries based to other countries. The quality of living environment in the urban area is not at par with those in the rural area due to high cost of living expenses. The vircious circle of poverty amongst the agriculture society at rural area is repeating for the service oriented society in the urban area simply because the earning is never sufficient to cover the cost of living.

Definitely some structural change of the economic model, governance system and society norm or value need to be revisited. Perhaps it is time to refresh all these in this Day.

Happy World Habitat Day 2011.