World Cities Day, observed on October 31st, is a key United Nations initiative that underscores the importance of cities in sustainable development. As the only UN-recognized day dedicated to urbanization, it marks the culmination of Urban October—a month-long series of events and discussions led by UN-Habitat.
Starting with World Habitat Day at the beginning of the month, Urban October explores various urban challenges, with each week focusing on themes like housing, public spaces, and climate resilience. The month-long observance builds up to World Cities Day, which aims to foster cooperation among cities for a better urban future, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The History of World Cities Day
World Cities Day was officially established by the United Nations in 2013. Its origin ties back to the Shanghai Declaration issued at the end of the World Expo in 2010, which had the theme “Better City, Better Life.” The day was set to be observed annually on October 31st to promote awareness of the role cities play in global development. The UN General Assembly designated this day, highlighting the importance of sustainable urbanization as a key driver of global progress.
When Is World Cities Day Observed?
World Cities Day is a time to reflect on the impact and future of urbanization. Here’s a table showing when you can observe this important day each year until 2030, along with the corresponding weekdays.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | October 31, Thursday |
| 2025 | October 31, Friday |
| 2026 | October 31, Saturday |
| 2027 | October 31, Sunday |
| 2028 | October 31, Tuesday |
| 2029 | October 31, Wednesday |
| 2030 | October 31, Thursday |
Be sure to note October 31st each year as a day to recognize and appreciate the importance of cities!
Fun Facts About World Cities Day
As we celebrate World Cities Day, let’s explore some fun and interesting facts about urban life that you can share with the hashtag #WorldCitiesDay:
- Tokyo, Japan, is the largest city in the world by population, with over 37 million residents as of 2023. Despite its size, Tokyo is known for its efficient public transportation and low crime rate.
- The concept of urban planning dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, where cities like Ur were designed with careful layouts. These early cities had organized street grids and public spaces, showing that structured urban life has ancient roots.
- Venice, Italy, has over 400 bridges, making it one of the most interconnected cities globally. The canals that replace streets in Venice have given it the unique title of “The Floating City.”
- Copenhagen, Denmark, is considered one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, with more bicycles than people! The city’s commitment to cycling has significantly reduced its carbon footprint, making it a model for sustainable urban living.
- Mexico City is sinking at a rate of 50 centimeters per year due to excessive groundwater extraction. This phenomenon is a serious challenge for the city, highlighting the need for sustainable water management.
- New York City was originally called “New Amsterdam” when it was founded by Dutch settlers in the 17th century. The city’s multicultural heritage continues to influence its diverse and vibrant culture today.
- Paris, France, was the first city to introduce street lighting, earning it the nickname “The City of Light.” This innovation in the 17th century transformed Paris into a safer and more modern city, setting a trend that would spread across the world.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
