Our Mission
Understanding human settlement issues in a changing world
This statement (adopted by IFHP Council October 12, 2008) can be further explained as follows:
- “A changing world” implies we are in a global environment of increasing uncertainty, complexity and urgency.
- “Human Settlement Issues” embrace our larger urban quality of life issues that go beyond housing.
- “Understanding” at the global scale means adopting diverse means for communication across cultures.
In embracing the above, the IFHP aims to:
- Extend the most essential legacy of Ebenezer Howard’s original objectives, which is to improve the quality of life in human settlements.
- Acknowledge the world is changing in ways we cannot easily predict. This also means shifting as needed to respond to unique and urgent needs by geography, culture and context.
- Recognize that human settlement issues are the best contemporary expression of the IFHP’s historical emphasis on housing and planning.
- Acknowledge the IFHP’s primary purpose is that of understanding and sharing how change impacts the quality of life in human settlements.
- Build upon the IFHP’s name and reputation as an international organisation of significance.
