Kigali 7th October 2015—Rwanda like any other Country in the region and on the international scene, lined up a series of events to mark 2015 World Habitat Day in Rubavu District in the Western province.

The event commemorated involved different agencies, learning institutions, non-governmental organizations, private sector, civil society as well as the general public especially Rubavu District citizen. The event is always celebrated on the first Monday of October every year; the purpose of World Habitat Day is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.

It is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns. The event for this year begun by visiting Mont Rubavu where the population was relocated  from high risk zones with high slope prone to landslide and heavy erosion and resettled in Karukogo site which was also visited by the delegation from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda Housing Authority, UN-Habitat, Western Province and Rubavu District Officials.. Umuganda stadium under rehabilitation and Rubavu urban roads were also visited as part of the public spaces. The World Habitat Day commemoration at National Level took place at Rugerero sector office where Honorable Germaine Kamayirese, the Minister of State in Charge of Energy and Water delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Government of Rwanda.

In her speech, she said that the theme for this year underscored the urgent need for cities to look into the issue of public spaces for the residents. The implementation of other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including on employment, energy, water and sanitation is also essential to sustainable cities. “Indeed, we must recognize the fully integrated nature of the SDGs, and not remain in the silos that the new framework is meant to transcend. “She noted”

“The character of a city is defined by its streets and public spaces. From squares and boulevards to neighborhood gardens and children playgrounds, public space frames city image. The connective matrix of streets and public spaces forms the skeleton of the city upon which all else rests. Public space is a vital component of a prosperous city. Well designed and managed public space is a key asset for a city’s functioning and has a positive impact on its economy, environment, safety, health, integration and connectivity,” She said.

The global theme for this year’s event is ‘Public Spaces for All’ and Rwanda further elaborated the theme as “open spaces for new urban agenda in Rwanda”.it dovetails with the general theme of “Urban October” which was launched by UN-Habitat in 2014 to emphasize the world’s urban challenges and engage the international community towards the New Urban Agenda. This year’s “Urban October” will conclude with World Cities Day on 31 October under the motto ‘Designed to Live Together’.

In a message during a World Habitat Day High Level Discussion on ‘Public Spaces for All’ In New York, United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon said the recent adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reflected an international consensus that sustainable urbanization could play a transformational role.

“This is most clearly reflected in Goal 11 to ‘make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.’ The 10 targets under Goal 11 address the unfinished business of the MDGs, including the ongoing challenges of slums, housing and basic services. They also incorporate a new constellation of issues such as urban sprawl, segregation, transport, air pollution, resilience to climate change, safety and public space,” he said.

According to the governor of the Western Province, Caritas Mukandasira, the quality of life for people in cities is directly related to the state of its public spaces. Public space provides room for social and cultural interaction and can foster a sense of belonging and pride in an area, she said, adding that a public space that is open to all, regardless of ethnic origin, age or gender, provides a democratic forum for citizens and society.

In her speech UN-Habitat’s representative Monic Sevumba hailed the efforts by Rubavu district to maintain public spaces. Public spaces are very crucial in any city and they must be encouraged,” she said adding that it was time for a paradigm shift in thinking so that public spaces are seen as sources of extra income by city authorities.

For the first time ever and in a true reflection of United Nation’s rallying call of ‘Delivering as One’, this year’s World Habitat Day saw UN-Habitat joining hands with its sister agency, UN Women. This partnership is done under the aegis of HeForShe, which is a global UN Women initiative that aims to engage men and boys, one half of humanity, in removing the social and cultural barriers that prevent the other half of humanity from achieving their potential.