DECLARAÇÃO DOS DIREITOS HUMANOS

Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements

General Assembly resolutions 51/177 of 16 December 1996

and 53/242 of 28 July 1999

1. We, the Heads of State or Government and the official delegations of countries

assembled at the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) in

Istanbul, Turkey from 3 to 14 June 1996, take this opportunity to endorse the

universal goals of ensuring adequate shelter for all and making human settlements

safer, healthier and more liveable, equitable, sustainable and productive. Our

deliberations on the two major themes of the Conference - adequate shelter for all

and sustainable human settlements development in an urbanizing world - have been

inspired by the Charter of the United Nations and are aimed at reaffirming existing

and forging new partnerships for action at the international, national and local levels

to improve our living environment. We commit ourselves to the objectives, principles

and recommendations contained in the Habitat Agenda and pledge our mutual

support for its implementation.

2. We have considered, with a sense of urgency, the continuing deterioration of

conditions of shelter and human settlements. At the same time, we recognize cities

and towns as centres of civilization, generating economic development and social,

cultural, spiritual and scientific advancement. We must take advantage of the

opportunities presented by our settlements and preserve their diversity to promote

solidarity among all our peoples.

3. We reaffirm our commitment to better standards of living in larger freedom for all

humankind. We recall the first United Nations Conference on Human Settlements,

held at Vancouver, Canada, the celebration of the International Year of Shelter for

the Homeless and the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000, all of which have

contributed to increased global awareness of the problems of human settlements and

called for action to achieve adequate shelter for all. Recent United Nations world

conferences, including, in particular, the United Nations Conference on Environment

and Development, have given us a comprehensive agenda for the equitable

attainment of peace, justice and democracy built on economic development, social

development and environmental protection as interdependent and mutually

reinforcing components of sustainable development. We have sought to integrate the

outcomes of these conferences into the Habitat Agenda.

4. To improve the quality of life within human settlements, we must combat the

deterioration of conditions that in most cases, particularly in developing countries,

have reached crisis proportions. To this end, we must address comprehensively, inter

alia, unsustainable consumption and production patterns, particularly in industrialized

countries; unsustainable population changes, including changes in structure and

distribution, giving priority consideration to the tendency towards excessive

population concentration; homelessness; increasing poverty; unemployment; social

exclusion; family instability; inadequate resources; lack of basic infrastructure and

services; lack of adequate planning; growing insecurity and violence; environmental

degradation; and increased vulnerability to disasters.

5. The challenges of human settlements are global, but countries and regions also

face specific problems which need specific solutions. We recognize the need to

intensify our efforts and cooperation to improve living conditions in the cities, towns

and villages throughout the world, particularly in developing countries, where the

situation is especially grave, and in countries with economies in transition. In this

connection, we acknowledge that globalization of the world economy presents

opportunities and challenges for the development process, as well as risks and

uncertainties, and that achievement of the goals of the Habitat Agenda would be

facilitated by, inter alia, positive actions on the issues of financing of development,

external debt, international trade and transfer of technology. Our cities must be

places where human beings lead fulfilling lives in dignity, good health, safety,

happiness and hope.

6. Rural and urban development are interdependent. In addition to improving the

urban habitat, we must also work to extend adequate infrastructure, public services

and employment opportunities to rural areas in order to enhance their attractiveness,

develop an integrated network of settlements and minimize rural-to-urban migration.

Small- and medium-sized towns need special focus.

7. As human beings are at the centre of our concern for sustainable development,

they are the basis for our actions as in implementing the Habitat Agenda. We