World urban leaders gathered in Abu Dhabi last month to discuss the future of cities amid expanding global crises. Resiliency through culture will be key.

By Xische Editorial, February 17, 2020

The biennial World Urban Forum is a vital opportunity to take stock of our changing cities. Since 2001, the number of people living in cities has increased from 47 per cent to 55 per cent. By 2050, that number will rise to 68 per cent. The majority of this urban growth will take place in emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The way we live is transforming with great speed thanks to increased connectivity, a shifting global labour market, and a vibrant aviation sector. But policymakers, primarily in the West, have been slow to recognise these shifts and craft innovative solutions to tomorrow’s challenges. 

In the emerging world, countries began drafting policy solutions long ago to address the challenge of accelerating urbanism. This is particularly true in cities like Abu Dhabi, which is hosting the biennial World Urban Forum this month. Organised by the United Nations, the Forum brings together the world’s leading thinkers and policymakers in urbanism. How will Abu Dhabi leave its mark on the international debate? 

One theme of the forum this year is multiculturalism in our cities. With people of more than 200 nationalities calling the UAE home, Abu Dhabi has experience in creating a tolerant society. The recipe is actually quite straightforward: invest in public awareness campaigns spearheaded by leaders ready for action. The UAE's Year of Tolerance is a clear example of the type of government commitment needed to entrench deep respect for multiculturalism. Lead by example instead of rhetoric alone.  

Throughout the forum, the positive role that culture can have in the urban landscape was a topic of conversation. UNESCO’s Assistant Director for Culture, Ernesto Ottone Ramirez emphasized the need for the values of culture, identity and heritage to be passed on to future generations.

 “Today, what we are lacking is the construct of value which enables young people to know what it means to preserve identity, culture and heritage. We must reflect now on how we want to build cities around our identities, cultures and heritage. Embracing the past will bring about the future we want to build together,” he noted. 

The UAE Minister for Culture and Knowledge Development HE Noura Al Kaabi noted how culture is always present in local society. “This affects the way we live, communicate and interact in our social life as individuals. It is a thread that runs through all facets and stages of our lives from school to adulthood,” she observed.

Building on the success of the forum, a new global resilient cities network was announced to deepen strategic partnerships across the world. Lauren Sorkin, the acting executive director of the Global Resilient Cities Network, announced the program by noting that collaboration and inclusion at scale are more critical than ever because of the current unprecedented levels of urbanization and a global climate crisis. “As complex systems, cities need to anchor their future through the transformative power of resilience planning,” Sorkin said. Connectivity through technology will be critical in the work of the Global Resilient Cities Network. If we can harness the power of big data to solve our urban challenges, humanity will be in a much better position to handle larger challenges stemming from climate change and food security. 

From food security to parking management, technology also plays a positive role in helping our cities deal with the burden of increased populations. Serving as a home to so many different nationalities is a boon for UAE cities. The presence of a multitude of backgrounds makes the urban environment an ideal testing space. Smart city innovation emanating from the UAE is already making its way into urban environments all over the world. The future is urban, technology-driven, and multicultural. Just go for a walk in Abu Dhabi and see for yourself.