Different scales and stages of urbanization have different needs. Smaller human habitats may not face the same challenges as of cities and metropolises, but all have the common agenda of building a prosperous and livable town. What we need is a common but differentiated approach. Sometimes working in towns that already have a clear roadmap for sustainable urbanisation is easier because the problems are clearly understood, and in other cases it can be a challenge because resources are very limited or priorities yet to be mapped. It is important to balance the needs, the challenges, the opportunities, and the dreams together. This will require complex but necessary dialogue among the inhabitants and the decision makers to determine the correct criteria. 

We need to start dialogues relevant to towns, to understand the opportunities and benefits as well as the challenges. For small towns, there is a very sensitive balance between needs and resources, emigration from or immigration to town will happen due to how one understands the situation and opportunities of space and livelihoods. It has been said that migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety and a better future.
Collingwood Summit seeks to bring together leaders of towns to help understand long-term solutions, focus on addressing urban infrastructure and services challenges – affordable and social housing, quality education and health services, vibrant culture, robust and green public transport and transportation infrastructure, simple access to basic utilities and social cohesion across communities.

It is our hope that the annual summits can help cities prepare for these challenges with a roadmap for towns to address them during this decade, which can be accelerated by leveraging greater public-private collaboration.

"Sustainable living is a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual’s or society’s use of Earth’s natural resources and personal resources."

What is also key to achieving the SDGs is the transition to sustainable patterns of consumption. We believe that our lifestyles are at the core to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals. As citizens, families, women, and youth all have a real golden opportunity to move towards sustainable lifestyles. Towns and cities must enable its inhabitants to make this behavioral change. Incorporating sustainability into our lifestyle means becoming aware of the impact of our choices in food, products, and energy use. This will also depend on the availability of sustainable products and production. The town leaders and the executive management must become examples in sustainable town development. 

We are honoured to invite Town Leaders to join us to talk about and exchange information on practical projects and their valuable experience and create an international network for achieving sustainable development in towns. Town of Collingwood is the host of “Habitat in Towns: Collingwood World Summit”. As a town, Collingwood plays its part in the world to contributing to a more sustainable future.
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