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Introduction:
Cities are potentially territories with plenty of economical, environmental, political, and cultural diversity and wealth. They represent much more than physical space distinguished by a higher density of people. The urban lifestyle influences the way we connect with others and the city around us. During the course of history, urbanization has been associated with economic and social progress, the promotion of literacy and education, the improvement of the general state of health, greater access to social services, and cultural, political and religious participation. Democratization has enhanced such access and meaningful participation and involvement for civil society actors, for public-private partnerships, and for decentralized, participatory planning and management, which are important features of a successful urban future. Cities and towns have been engines of growth and incubators of civilization and have facilitated the evolution of knowledge, culture and tradition, as well as of industry and commerce.

What is the goal?
Equitable human settlements are those in which all people, without discrimination of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, have equal access to housing, infrastructure, health services, adequate food and water, education and open spaces. In addition, such human settlements provide equal opportunity for a productive and freely chosen livelihood; equal access to economic resources, including the right to inheritance, the ownership of land and other property, credit, natural resources and appropriate technologies; equal opportunity for personal, spiritual, religious, cultural and social development; equal opportunity for participation in public decision-making; equal rights and obligations with regard to the conservation and use of natural and cultural resources; and equal access to mechanisms to ensure that rights are not violated.

What are the challenges?
The quality of life of all people depends on the physical conditions and spatial characteristics of our villages, towns and cities, but also on economic, social, environmental and cultural factors, affecting the sustainability of the settlements.

Today, the world’s cities are far from offering equal conditions and opportunities to their inhabitants. The majority of the world’s urban population is prevented from or face limits in fulfilling their elementary needs because of discrimination or power imbalances based on economic, social, cultural, ethnicity, gender and age factors. This situation leads us to the challenge of building a sustainable model of society and urban life, which would be based on the principles of solidarity, freedom, equity, dignity and social justice.

Urban settlements, properly planned and managed, hold the promise for human development and the protection of the world's natural resources through their ability to support large numbers of people while limiting their impact on the natural environment. The growth of cities and towns causes social, economic and environmental changes that go beyond city boundaries. To overcome current problems and to ensure future progress in the improvement of economic, social and environmental conditions in human settlements, we must begin with a recognition of the challenges facing cities and towns.

Furthermore, the empowerment of women and their full and equal participation in all spheres of society, whether rural or urban, are fundamental to the sustainable development of human settlements.

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