Urban October 2021

Urban October is a month-long conversation on sustainable urbanization conducted through hundreds of virtual and physical events and activities. Learn more about SEI’s work to support sustainable cities for the health and wellbeing of their inhabitants and the planet.

Urban October is an opportunity to be part of the conversation about sustainable urbanization. Everyone – from national and local governments to universities, NGOs and communities – is encouraged to take part in virtual or physical activities, events, and discussions. This year #UrbanOctober focuses on the climate crisis which is also the theme of UN-Habitat’s campaign ClimateAction4Cities.

The month begins with #WorldHabitatDay on 4 October 2021. This year the theme is Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world. Cities are responsible for 70 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, so the focus is on creating sustainable, carbon-neutral, inclusive cities and towns.

The Innovate4Cities 2021 Conference runs from 11 – 15 October and brings people together to advance pragmatic, action-oriented research to help cities reduce their carbon footprint and increase resilience to climate change.

Urban October ends with #WorldCitiesDay on 31 October 2021. This will be the eighth global celebration since it was launched in 2014. The theme for 2021 is ‘Adapting Cities for Climate Resilience, focusing on creating more sustainable, climate-resilient societies.’

Find out more about Urban October, World Habitat Day and World Cities Day on the UN-Habitat Urban October website.

Read more on the SEI Feature page