The theme for 2018 World Wetland?s Day is WETLANDS FOR A SUSTAINABLE URBAN FUTURE, which hopes to raise awareness on how urban wetlands contribute to sustainable cities of the future.  Urban Wetlands are areas in and around towns and cities that are designed to bring water into urban surroundings.  There are also Natural Wetlands in the urban setting, which are more dynamic since the flow of water there changes depending on the sources. Urban Wetlands are more controlled by people who designed them not just for the water but for its aesthetic and sustainability values, too.  Urban Wetlands, for example, can actually purify urban water efficiently and in a less expensive manner.  Urban Wetlands can also help reduce the probability of flooding, filter solid wastes, provide the green parks in the middle of the cities and can even be sources of livelihood.   

With these in mind, it was fortunate that we got invited by the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands (SCPW) to attend an Organized Session precisely on the topic of WETLANDS FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN FUTURE, echoing the theme of World Wetlands Day.  This Session was part of the three-day 1^st International Conference on Human Settlements Planning and Development that began today, July 23 through July 25, 2018 at the Asian Institute of Management.  The Organized Session was held this afternoon, July 23 from 3:30-5:30 pm. 

The SCPW presented several projects and researches that take deliberate actions to conserve and use Urban Wetlands wisely.  The projects presented were implemented and were envisioned to set the country?s towns and cities in the direction of sustainable urbanization.  The presentations were on the following topics:

1. ?       Wetland Offsetting
2. ?       Integration of Wetlands into Tourism Planning
3. ?       Wetlands as Natural Treatment Systems
4. ?       Engaging Citizen Science as a Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness (CEPA) Tool
5. ?       Designing Urban Waterfronts as Wetland Learning Centers
6. ?       Mapping of Vulnerable Wetlands

With about half of the world?s population living in urban areas, Wetlands are very important to make cities and progressive towns more livable.  The larger the population in an area, the more important the Wetlands are.  As of now, about 4 billion people live in urban areas, but by 2050 that will increase exponentially.  It is expected that by 2030, there will be over 40 megacities in the world where not just basic needs of water, food, housing and transport must be provided, but safety, resiliency and sustainability as well.  It is important that Urban Wetlands be protected whether they be natural or designed to meet the needs of the highly urbanizing areas.  

Photo (c) Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands