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One of the main purposes of the UN Conference - Exposition on Human Settlements held in Vancouver, Canada, in June 1976, was to bring to the World's attention the nature and relative importance of the problems of human settlements against a background of widespread concern for the whole of our earthly environment - natural and manmade. Two of the most critical problems of society today are the shortage of adequate housing and the deterioration of the conditions under which people live and work. Many cities are unable to provide adequate housing, food, sanitation, work and other essential services for all the people flocking to them in search of a better life. Rural settlements are being abandoned and neglected. Urbanization is not an evil in itself. The process can be guided and converted into a positive factor in development. Economic development and an improvement in the quality of human life need not be competing alternatives. They are both vital and in the common interest of all mankind.

A woman in her kitchen in Cross Roads, South Africa.

Alluvial diamond deposits are an important source of income to Sierra Leone. Methods are being devised to control surreptitious diamond smuggling, for the country loses millions of dollars through these illegal activities.
Diamond workers are seen here panning alluvial deposits into baskets on the banks of a river.

People enjoying a Sunday stroll on a Tokyo street closed to motor traffic. In Japan shopping centres are open on Sundays to enable the people to shop leisurely. To encourage shoppers to use public transport and enjoy their outing some city streets are converted to temporary picnic areas.

Unique ID UN7ALB50465

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Headline Garbage Recycling Plant in New York City Produces Soil Conditioner

Caption Description In New York City alone the daily garbage amounts to 24,000 tons and its disposal is one of the major problems facing the city. One solution is the recycling of waste and the most successful system developed to date is one designed by Dr. Stephen Varro, President of Ecology Inc., New York City, which is reducing 150 tons of city garbage to 60 tons of organic compost fertilizer each day.
Shown here, from left to right are: Dr. Raul Cardenas, Consultant to Ecology Inc., James Barry, Assistant Plant Manager; Frank Mallock, Plant Manager; Dr. Stephen Varro, President, Ecology Inc., Fred Loeser, Vice-President, Ecology Inc.

Unique Identifier UN7771024

NICA ID 68446

Production Date 07/13/1971 4:44:01 PM

City/Location New York

Country United States of America

Credit UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata

File size 2.17 MB