World Habitat Day 2024

The first Monday of each October is World Habitat Day. It is a day recognized by the United Nations to consider sustainable cities, urban development, inclusivity, community development, green infrastructure, affordable housing and the ongoing housing crisis, sustainable transportation, and in general, the overall state of towns and cities across the world.

This year, World Habitat Day will be celebrated on October 7th, 2024. It will carry the theme, “Engaging youth to create a better urban future.” Escaping to nature is a great way to focus on your mental health, but building a better urban future with inclusive cities and a focus on community development and affordable housing is critical at this moment in history. This is because the world is rapidly urbanizing, and many urban residents these days are young people, especially in African and Asian countries. Engaging this new generation in planning their urban future will help to ensure we have more smart cities that are prepared for climate change adaptation. Checking out these 10 tips for sustainable living is a great way to start preparing for World Habitat Day 2024.

The History of World Habitat Day

First celebrated in 1986, a year after the United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day, this special day is meant as a time for individuals and global leaders to reflect seriously on the state of our habitats, and on the basic right of all people to have adequate and safe shelter. World Habitat Day 2024 is a reminder that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns, and to make them smarter, greener, more affordable, and more inclusive for ourselves and for our neighbors.

Sustainable Cities and World Habitat Day 2024

According to the U.N., cities are responsible for a whopping 70 percent of all global carbon dioxide emissions, with transportation, buildings, energy consumption and generation, and waste management accounting for the bulk of it. Because it is expected that by 2050, two-thirds of our global population will live in urban areas, creating smart cities with sustainable transportation that also address the housing crisis has never been more urgent.

World Habitat Day 2024 Activities

Building a better urban future starts today. While you may not be directly responsible for urban development that uses green infrastructure to cope with climate change, there are numerous activities and events you and your family can participate in on World Habitat Day.

Volunteer to Help in Your Community

From working in community gardens to helping build homes with Habitat for Humanity, World Habitat Day 2024 is a great time to volunteer your time and energy to make the world a better, fairer, and more inclusive place for everyone.

What is a House Activity for Kids

This World Habitat Day activity for young kids focuses on engaging their minds about the concept of ‘home’. As safe shelter and affording housing is a guiding principle of World Habitat Day annually, getting the next generation of thinkers and leaders to consider what it means to have a home is one way to plant the seeds for a better tomorrow for everyone. Ask your children what they think a ‘home’ means and what it should have to be deemed adequate, safe, and livable.

Community Bingo

Create bingo cards with all the things that make a community a great, safe, clean place to live, things like:

Local small businesses

Birds

Flowers

Fire department

School

Place of worship

Playground

Library

Sidewalks

Grocery Store

Bike path

Hospital

Families

Sustainable and affordable public transportation

Then take walks, a bike ride, or ride a bus to play this bingo game that subtly teaches kids about the importance of social infrastructure, community development, and what is needed for building a better urban future.

Spend Time in an Urban Park

When it comes to urban resilience, every great city needs green space for people to gather together, share ideas, and to fight climate change through trees, local plants, and pollinator gardens. Choosing to spend a portion of World Habitat Day 2024 in a city park having a picnic, boating, or fishing, is how you can show support for green infrastructure and community development in sustainable cities. Of course, try to use sustainable transportation to get there!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

One additional way to participate in World Habitat Day every day of the year is to refocus your household efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle. The less we consume and dispose of, the better the planet and our habitats will be for years to come.

Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out these ways to make a difference in your community.