TAG-Org and Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization Publish Books on Refugees and Future of Cities

NEW YORK- In a pioneering event held under the patronage of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on May 18, 2016, on the theme of "Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants: Challenges for Sustainable Urbanization" many leading personalities from the UN and top experts from around the world in the humanitarian and urbanization fields  made presentations on this burning issue which have been published in a new book  by Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org)  in collaboration with the Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization (CSU).
 
 A second publication on the subject of "The Future of Cities: An Integrated Approach to Urban Challenges" was also recently published jointly by Talal Abu-Ghazaleh & Co.  International and the Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization in New York.

The first 136-page book examines the challenges and opportunities at the nexus between refugee flows and urbanization trends with a view to finding creative solutions by linking efforts in humanitarian, technology, planning, designing, financing, and maintaining urban centers. This book explores a variety of solutions to diverse dimensions of this complex issue that can be shared among policy makers, urban planners and humanitarian experts. It is expected to be a catalyst for building partnerships in the service of refugees and migrants between humanitarian experts and leaders in sustainable urbanization.

In the preface of the book, HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman of TAG-Org,Chair of CSU Honorary Council, and Co-Chair of Network 11 notes that mass migrations - regardless of whether the cause is war, lack of economic opportunity, or religious beliefs - result in major displacements and human suffering. 

"The problem, therefore, is how to host large numbers of people on a temporary basis. These temporary arrangements often become permanent. Therefore, settlements must be planned to function for a very long time and be able to expand and contract during their existence. It is hoped that individuals and families will be accommodated in more permanent settlement within the larger community," he said. 

"Having grown up in such a settlement and survived it, I know firsthand what it means to be a refugee. This is an extremely important topic for millions of people all over the world. This book will be a tribute to everyone who is displaced against his or her will," he added.

The Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization acknowledged Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh for his vision, and support throughout the process of preparing and publishing the books.

 The second 128 pages book on: The Future of Cities: An Integrated Approach to Urban Challenges, addresses the problems faced by cities in both the developed and developing countries making the issue universal, given that every year millions of people move to cities worldwide, estimated at approximately 200,000 per day, close to 1.4 million per week or over 70 million each year.

Both publications are in English and can be translated into other languages as per requests through Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Translation, Distribution and Publishing (TAG-Translate).

The Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization is a New York based, non- profit organization formed to promote a better understanding of the role of sustainable urbanization and resilient design in the planning of our cities with a newfound optimism about the urban future.

In addition to Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, CSU Honorary Council includes: Ana Marie Argilagos, Megan Sterling Chusid, Thomas Dallessio, Robert Geddes, Sarbuland Khan, Maxinne Leighton Margaret O’Donoghue Castillo, Lisa Staiano-Coico, Theresa Williamson, Erich Winkler and Tom Wright.

Network Eleven is an initiative by UN-Habitat and Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization, co-chaired by Dr. Joan Clos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat, and Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, It aims to promote sharing of experiences and good practices in the use of digital technologies to deliver sustainable urbanization, and to contribute to the discussion towards the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat 3) and the New Urban Agenda, as well as the digital and urban dimensions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development under Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The launch of Network Eleven took place in 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. The Network will support implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”