World Habitat Day was established by the United Nations as an annual reflection on habitat and the right to adequate shelter for all on the first Monday of October. As part of the Day, we are reminded that we all have the power to shape the future of our towns and cities. An annual global observance takes place in a different country each year, featuring keynote speakers and roundtable discussions on a specific topic. Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye will host the World Habitat Day 2022 observance this year.
- Since 1985, the United Nations has celebrated International Habitat Day every first Monday of October. This year it is being observed on 3rd October 2022. (in case you are searching for World Habitat Day Date 2022!)
- It is meant to reflect on the state of our cities and towns, and how we can all ensure that we have adequate shelter.
- The goal is also to remind everyone of their collective responsibility to protect the human habitat for future generations.
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World Habitat Day Theme 2022
In 2022, World Habitat Day (WHD 2022) looks at growing inequality and challenges in cities and human settlements under the theme “Mind the Gap. Leave No One Behind.” In its 2022 observance, World Habitat Day seeks to raise awareness of the growing inequalities and vulnerabilities caused by the triple crisis of COVID-19, climate change and conflict.
Previous Year’s Theme of World Habitat Day
For your reference, we have provided a list of World Habitat Day themes of past years so that you have an understanding of what has been the focus of UN Habitat.
| World Habitat Day Year | Theme | Event City and Country | Global Event Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHD 2021 | Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world | Yaounde, Cameroon | Africa |
| WHD 2020 | Valuing our communities and cities | Surabaya, Indonesia | Asia |
| WHD 2019 | Frontier technologies as an innovative tool to transform waste to wealth | Mexico City | Americas |
| WHD 2018 | Municipal Solid Waste Management | Nairobi, Kenya | Africa |
| WHD 2016 | Together beyond Habitat III | New Delhi, India | Asia |
| WHD 2015 | Public Spaces for All | none | Event Region |
| WHD 2014 | Leading Urban Transformations | none | Event Region |
| WHD 2013 | Urban Mobility | none | Event Region |
| WHD 2012 | Changing Cities, Building Opportunities | Embu Town in Kenya | Africa |
| WHD 2011 | Cities and Climate Change | Aguascalientes, Mexico | Americas |
| WHD 2010 | Better City, Better Life | Shanghai, China | Event Region |
| WHD 2009 | Planning our urban future | Washington D.C., U.S.A | Event Region |
| WHD 2008 | Harmonious Cities | Luanda, Angola | Africa |
| WHD 2007 | A safe city is a just city | Hague, Netherlands and Monterrey, Mexico | Event Region |
| WHD 2006 | Cities, Magnets of Hope | Naples, Italy and Kazan, Russian Federation | Event Region |
| WHD 2005 | The Millennium Development Goals and the City | Jakarta, Indonesia | Asia |
World Habitat Day History
The first World Habitat Day was celebrated in 1986 with the theme “Shelter is My Right”. In that year, Nairobi hosted the observance. The UN General Assembly established this day with Resolution number 40/202.
What is Urban October 2022?
Everyone is invited to participate in Urban October’s conversation about the challenges and opportunities created by rapid changes in our cities and towns. From national and local governments to universities, NGOs, and communities, everyone interested in sustainable urbanization is encouraged to organize or participate in events, activities, and discussions each October. The first Monday of October is World Habitat Day, and 31 October is World Cities Day. There is an activity every day of the month, as well as at other times throughout the month.
What is UN Habitat?
“A better quality of life for all in an urbanizing world” is UN-Habitat’s bold and ambitious vision. Together with its partners, UN-Habitat seeks to build cities and communities that are safe, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. As a positive force that reduces inequality, discrimination, and poverty, UN-Habitat promotes urbanization. Through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance, and collaborative action, UN-Habitat promotes transformative change in cities and human settlements. In its new strategic plan 2020-2023, UN-Habitat attempts to address the challenges and opportunities that cities and other human settlements face in the 21st century in a more strategic and integrated manner.
What is The Habitat Scroll of Honour award?
The Habitat Scroll of Honour award was launched by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in 1989. It is currently the most prestigious human settlements award in the world. Its aim is to acknowledge initiatives that have made outstanding contributions in various fields such as shelter provision, highlighting the plight of the homeless, leadership in post-conflict reconstruction, and developing and improving the human settlements and the quality of urban life. The call for nominations for this year’s award is open.
2022 Scroll of Honour award Winners
In recognition of those working towards sustainable urbanization, UN-Habitat has announced the winners of 2022 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award. A total of 244 nominations were received for this year’s award from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. 69 submissions were shortlisted by the Selection Committee.
List of 2022 Scroll of Honour award Winners
- 15’min City Global Initiative
- Mr. Stanley Anigbogu, from Nigeria
- Ms. Dipti Mahapatro, from Bhubaneswar, India
- Programa Parceria, Recife, Brazil
- URBAN Intergroup of the European Parliament
- United Cities and Local Governments, UCLG (Special Citation)
World Habitat Day Speech
Download the Press Conference speech on World Habitat Day 2022 now.
World Habitat Day Quiz Questions & Answers 2022
Every year on the first Monday of October World Habitat Day is celebrated. This year it is being observed on 3rd October 2022.
UN General Assembly in 1985 was founded by the World Habitat Day with the resolution 40/202.
The first World Habitat Day was held in 1986 with the theme ‘Shelter is my right’. During that year, Nairobi hosted the event.
Jaga Mission, Odisha’s ambitious initiative, won the World Habitat Award 2019.
World Habitat Day 2022 theme is Mind the Gap. Leave No One and No Place Behind. The goal is to highlight the growing inequalities in living conditions worldwide.
Ms. Dipti Mahapatro, from Bhubaneswar, India has been honoured with the Scroll of Honour award for her innovative leadership in transforming a failing public-private transport system into one that is inclusive, accessible, cleaner, and safer with transformative impacts, especially for women.
In 2016, New Delhi, India hosted World Habitat Day with the theme – Together beyond Habitat III.