Basic Information
World Habitat Day is an annual event observed on first Monday of October (7 October 2019) to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.
Observed on: First Monday of October (5 October 2020)
Organized by: UN, UN-Habitat
Introduced in: 1985 (UN Resolution)
Observed: Worldwide
About World Habitat Day
The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1985 that first Monday in October would be World Habitat Day through Resolution 40/202. And the first Observation is made in 1986 with a theme “Shelter is my right”. The day is observed to show the basic human right to adequate shelter and also to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the habitat of future generations.
Activities and Programs on World Habitat Day
Events are arranged locally by different organizations to observe the day. Events and actions are taking place in accordance with the theme selected for the year. These themes and events promote inclusive housing, safe and healthy living environment etc. The events and actions also aim to spread the theme and message of the day.
Various programs are organized to examine the problems of rapid urbanization and its impact on the environment and human poverty. United Nations Human Settlements Program (UNHSP) launched an award “Habitat Scroll of Honour” for acknowledging initiatives in the field of habitat.
Theme for World Habitat Day
World Habitat Day 2020 Theme is “Housing For All – A Better Urban Future“
World Habitat Day 2019 Theme was “Frontier Technologies as an innovative tool to transform waste to wealth”
Habitat Day 2018 Theme was “Municipal Solid Waste Management“
2017 Theme: Housing Policies: Affordable Homes
2016 Theme: Housing at the Centre
2015 Theme: Public Spaces for All
2014 Theme: Voices from Slums
2013 Theme: Urban Mobility
2012 Theme: Changing Cities, Building Opportunities
2011 Theme: Cities and Climate Change
2010 Theme: Better City, Better Life
2009 Theme: Planning our Urban
2008 Theme: Harmonious Cities
2007 Theme: A safe city is a just city
2006 Theme: Cities, magnets of hope
2005 Theme: The Millennium Development Goals and the City
2004 Theme: Cities – Engines of Rural Development
2003 Theme: Water and Sanitation for Cities
2002 Theme: City-to-City Cooperation
2001 Theme: Cities without Slums
2000 Theme: Women in Urban Governance
1999 Theme: Cities for All
1998 Theme: Safer Cities
1997 Theme: Future Cities
1996 Theme: Urbanization, Citizenship and Human Solidarity
1995 Theme: Our Neighbourhood
1994 Theme: Home and the Family
1993 Theme: Women and Shelter Development
1992 Theme: Shelter and Sustainable Development
1991 Theme: Shelter and the Living Environment
1990 Theme: Shelter and Urbanization
1989 Theme: Shelter, Health and the Family
1988 Theme: Shelter and Community
1987 Theme: Shelter for the Homeless
1986 Theme: Shelter is my Right