Funds directed toward improving informal settlements should be regarded not as social spending, but as investments contributing to economic growth, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Anacláudia Rossbach said during her speech at the dialogue session titled “Transforming informal settlements and slums: housing for the world” held within the framework of WUF13, APA-Economics reports.
According to her, more than 1 billion people around the world live in informal settlements, and assessments conducted under Goal 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals show that progress in this area is insufficient.
Anacláudia Rossbach noted that informal settlements are the areas most affected by climate change, economic downturns and health risks. Under these conditions, millions of children live without access to basic services.
The head of UN-Habitat emphasized that strong housing policies, community-based renewal programs and the integration of informal settlements into the urban system are the main solutions.
She stated that when investments are made in these areas, new jobs are created, local economies are revitalized, and as a result, countries’ gross domestic product increases.
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