Center Archives

February 2008

Elliott Sclar Teaches Condensed Course in Participation with The World Economic Forum

Elliott Sclar, director of the Center for Sustainable Urban Development at the Earth Institute at Columbia University, taught a condensed course on the political economy of global urbanization for the Global Leadership Fellows of the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. Sclar's module, taught in February 2008, was one of the offerings from Columbia University during its first year of participation with the World Economic Forum on the education of future global leaders.

November 2, 2007

International Society for Urban Health Honors CSUD Director, Sclar

At the 6th annual conference of the International Society for Urban Health in Baltimore, MD, on November 2, 2007, Elliott Sclar received the society's humanitarian award given "for individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to improving the health of urban populations."

Photo credit: Herard Media Group

November 13, 2006

"Improving the Lives of 100 Million Slum Dwellers is Not Enough"

Interview in UN Chronicle with Elliott Sclar

In 2002, Secretary-General Kofi Annan called upon development experts from around the world to develop concrete action plans to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Columbia University professor Elliott Sclar co-chaired Task Force 8, which was charged with MDG 7 (Ensure Environmental Sustainability) and Target 11 (“To achieve significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2020.”).

Read the article

July 2006

Better Air Quality for African Cities

Urban air pollution in African cities is emerging as a key threat to health, environment, economy and quality of life for millions of Africans as the levels of urbanization, motorization and economic activity increase. To raise awareness of deteriorating air quality and develop a framework for action to address the growing problem, a regional conference was organized at UNEP's headquarters in Nairobi in late July. Patrick Kinney (pictured at right), a professor at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and a CSUD researcher, gave a presentation on the health impacts of major air pollutants.

View Professor Kinney’s presentation | flash
Read more about the conference | pdf

April 5, 2006

CSUD Presents at Future Urban Transport Conference

The Third Conference on Future Urban Transport, organized by the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations, was held in Goteborg, Sweden on April 2-5, 2006. It brought together a variety of actors and analysts to engage in the multi- and interdisciplinary dialogue needed to cope with the complexity of urban transport. CSUD's conference presentation examined urban transport in Nairobi in the context of achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

View the presentation flash | pdf
Read more about the conference

November 11, 2005

Columbia University and the University of Nairobi Sign MOU

Elliott Sclar, director of CSUD and professor of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at Columbia University and Peter Ngau, professor of Urban Planning and chairman of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Nairobi, Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the commitment of the two universities to work together to address regional infrastructure and planning issues in Ruiru, Kenya.

October 5, 2005

Green Roofs Save the Planet and Money in the Bronx

Joyce Rosenthal from the Center of Sustainable Urban Development says an experiment in the 1990s showed that New York was four degrees hotter than its surrounding suburbs and rural areas, because asphalt and black tar absorb the suns rays, retain it and then re-radiate it back into the atmosphere. A green roof would help reduce that effect.

From WNYC, October 5, 2005

October 3, 2005

World Habitat Day 2005

The official U.S. celebration of World Habitat Day 2005 was held at Columbia University’s Low Library. The theme of the 2005 global celebration was “The Millennium Development Goals and the City,” reflecting the importance of meeting the goals in urban areas, as described in the UN Millennium Task Force 8’s report, “A Home in the City.” The event was organized by UN-HABITAT, Habitat for Humanity and the Center for Sustainable Urban Development, with generous support from the Rockefeller Foundation. Through such partnerships, organizations at every level can work together to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and eliminate urban poverty.

World Habitat Day is designated by the United Nations as an opportunity for the world to reflect on the state of human settlements and every person’s right to adequate shelter. Celebrated annually on the first Monday of October for the last twenty years, World Habitat Day also serves as a reminder to the international community of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat. This message was brought to the local level with a morning ceremony to honor six needy Harlem families who will move into new homes in the area thanks to their work with Habitat for Humanity.

October 3, 2005

Familes in Need Get Dream Homes in Harlem

On World Habitat Day, there was a call to house poor families in New York City and around the world. Homes were dedicated for six needy families in Harlem, a gesture many hope will catch on.

Reverend Calvin O. Butts III, Pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City, delivered the invocation at the World Habitat Day luncheon.

In the Media:
Channel 7 News, October 3, 2005

Video:
Quicktime (1:08:46)

April 20, 2005

Making a Home in the City: Transport and Land Use Planning for Sustainable Development

This lecture by Elliott Sclar at the launch of the Center for Sustainable Urban Development (CSUD), elaborates on how transport and land use policies are intrinsically linked to the economic, social and physical environment and health of cities.

Video:
Quicktime (59:07)

View Professor Sclar's powerpoint presentation flash | pdf