World Habitat Day

In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, UN-Habitat, The Rockefeller Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity, the National Building Museum invites you to the official World Habitat Day ceremony on October 5, 2009 from 8 AM to 12 PM.

The annual event—mandated by the General Assembly of the United Nations to promote innovations in affordable housing and sustainable urban development—is being held this year in Washington, D.C., the first time a U.S. city has hosted the global event.

This year's theme, Planning our Urban Future, is an opportunity to bring attention to some of the most promising urban planning ideas being explored across the globe – to create a platform for international partnership that helps make socially, environmentally and economically sustainable urban communities a reality for all of us.

The moment for this discussion couldn't be more appropriate. For the first time in history, the majority of the world's population lives in cities – and that figure is projected to grow by 37 percent by midcentury. By 2030, almost 5 billion people will live in urban areas, with that growth most concentrated in Africa and Asia. In the words of UN-HABITAT, cities are increasingly becoming "hubs of national production and consumption."

And while the United States is poised to be a leader in helping friends around the globe grapple with these trends, it is by no means immune. Eighty-three percent of Americans and 85 percent of all jobs are located in our metro areas, generating nearly 90 percent of the United States' economic production. Planning must address the shortcomings of existing decision making systems which have allowed the simultaneous emergence of some of the most sophisticated technological innovations to improve our lives and living conditions side by side with slums and sub-standard housing which are the worst manifestations of urban poverty, deprivation, and social exclusion.

For all our challenges, the transformation we are witnessing at this moment could be our greatest opportunity to lift the standard of living for billions of people across the globe. Seizing that moment is the goal of World Habitat Day 2009.

World Habitat Day Opening Ceremony
National Building Museum, The Great Hall

401 F Street NWWashington, DC 20001
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Overview:
The official kick-off for the 2009 World Habitat Day global observance will feature remarks by members of the World Habitat Day U.S. Honorary Committee. The Opening Ceremony will also include a special video created by YouMedia Learning Center, celebrating the voices of Chicago youth, Building and Housing Social Foundation (BHSF) World Habitat Award Presentations, and 2009 Habitat Scroll of Honor Presentations.

Featured speakers:
Melody Barnes, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan
UN-Habitat Executive Director Dr. Anna Tibaijuka
Mayor of Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty
Rockefeller Foundation President Dr. Judith Rodin
Jon Bon Jovi, Member of the U.S. World Habitat Day Honorary Committee.

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World Habitat Day Forum on Livable Communities
Howard University, Cramton Auditorium

2455 6TH Street NWWashington, DC 20059
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Overview:
The World Habitat Day Forum on Livable Communities hosted by The Department of Housing and Urban Development and Howard University will showcase a variety of perspectives in addressing the 2009 World Habitat Day theme "Planning Our Urban Future."

Featured speakers:
White House Urban Affairs Director Adolfo Carrion
HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims
UN-Habitat Executive Director Dr. Anna Tibaijuka
Deputy Mayor Valerie Santos
President of Howard University, Dr. Ribeau

Register for this event