Habitat-III and the new urban agenda: implications for Australia

The world is rapidly urbanising. In 1950, only 30 per cent of the world's population lived in urban areas. That proportion has increased to 55 per cent in 2018 (United Nations 2018a) and is predicted to reach 68 per cent by 2050 (United Nations 2018b). Governments are struggling to cope with the pace of urbanisation as well as maximising the opportunities urban centres can offer. In Australia, urbanisation has created issues including economic, environmental, social infrastructure, waste disposal, energy and natural resources. The United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat- III), held in October 2016 in Quito, Ecuador, generated the New Urban Agenda (United Nations 2016a) that is a shared vision of the global community and a global framework for sustainable urban development and urbanisation for the next 20 years. This paper discusses the main features of the New Urban Agenda, its development, key elements and relationships. The paper highlights Australia's role in implementing the New Urban Agenda and considers how Australian cities are preparing for sustainable and equitable growth.