Urban Resilience: The path to green and sustainable cities

Currently, more than half of the world's population lives in cities. By 2050, this number is expected to increase to 70%, adding over 3.5 billion people to urban areas. This presents numerous challenges and opportunities that we must urgently and creatively address. Without adequate planning, urbanization has significantly degraded soils and biodiversity, fragmenting and depleting essential natural resources, with ecosystems suffering the consequences of unchecked and uncontrolled expansion.

Resource consumption in cities is overwhelming. Approximately 80% of the world's energy is consumed in these areas, where residents use 70% of the food and generate 60% of the greenhouse gases (GHGs). Additionally, cities produce 70% of global waste. This environmental impact is unsustainable and demands a rethinking of management and planning.

Urban and peri-urban food systems also face great challenges. The loss and displacement of agricultural soils and dependence on international markets, create vulnerable supply chains and fluctuating prices. However, these systems are crucial for ensuring food security and nutrition, providing healthy and accessible food to the city population.

From the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), we promote an ambitious agenda that encourages the creation of integrated agri-food systems between rural, peri-urban, and urban areas, ensuring access to a healthy environment and nutritious food as part of the regional priority Better Environment, which in the region seeks to achieve sustainable management of natural resources and adaptation to climate change. Additionally, we encourage the expansion of green spaces through urban and peri-urban forestry activities, thus contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation and the sustainable management of natural resources.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, 74 cities from eleven countries participate in the Network of Intermediate Cities and Food Systems (Red CISA), with technical support from FAO. This network facilitates cooperation and knowledge exchange on the governance of agri-food systems between authorities and municipal teams. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay are making progress in implementing policies and projects that strengthen urban food systems. These efforts include managing agricultural surpluses, reactivating food security councils, promoting healthy and sustainable supply chains, and creating inter-municipal agencies for watershed management.

An inspiring example of innovation is the creation of UNICIPIO, a Public Policy Coordination Council for the Metropolitan Area of Mendoza, Argentina, to address environmental and social challenges at this level. This has enabled Mendoza to develop projects, policies, and urban forestry management at the metropolitan level, which includes a digital platform, but also the participation of citizens and students in the execution of activities. This initiative has just been awarded in the FAO Green Cities awards in the innovation category.

It is crucial to continue promoting innovation and cooperation in our cities to face the challenges of urbanization, especially concerning climate change. Only through the implementation of integrated, inclusive, and sustainable policies, and the participation of all stakeholders, can we build resilient cities and ensure a prosperous future for the coming generations.