Integrated Housing and Habitat Policy: An inclusive approach to territories, resilience and poverty reduction

A time allocated audio-visual presentation of 60 minutes. Firstly: a briefly presentation of the environmental and cultural qualities of the city of Cali, maximizing the water supply by its 7 rivers and one of the biggest rivers of the Country through the tropical rain mountains that provide oxygen to the city along the wind corridors, the native bird, reptile and wild species integrating the surrounded ecosystem, as well as the natural resources of the region able in providing a sustainable economy, in addition to the diverse food productivity supported by the thermal floors. The diverse cultural multi-ethnic backgrounds from all over the Country have become the city a vibrant place. Secondly: a briefly presentation of the problem, the city of Cali becomes the prime-receptor urban area holding most of interned displaced population of the Country, where growth has been unplanned and located in the most vulnerable –unmitigated and high risk– areas. Also informal settlements lacking of adequate urban complementary facilities and social programs that as a consequence creates negative social effects, urban fragmentation, violence with criminal activities, and segregated pockets of poverty throughout the city. The seemly unstoppable spread of informal settlements is exacerbating the natural resources that have become a critical burden for the environment. Last: the solution by explaining the process in formulating an Integrated Housing and Habitat Policy that provides new regulatory frameworks such as informal settlements upgrading, housing supply alternatives, expanding the access for new types of housing subsidies for the most vulnerable households or land tenure initiatives, all articulated under the strategy of capacity-building, a participatory dialogue and a political commitment on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. Afterwards Q&A.;