This year, the global observance of World Habitat Day will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this Monday with the theme Water and Sanitation for Cities. Some of the past themes included City-to-City Cooperation (2002), Cities Without Slums (2001), Women in Urban Governance (2000) and Cities for All (1999).

As Malaysia observes World Habitat Day, it is useful to recall the pledge to adopt the "universal goals of ensuring adequate shelter for all and making human habitats safer, healthier and more livable, equitable, sustainable and productive".

Leaders of world communities, including Malaysia, made this declaration in the second UN conference on Human Settlements, popularly known as Habitat II, in 1966.

It is important to note that the pledge and resolution do not define what constitutes ideal human settlements. What is called for is the urgency to strive for improvement in the building and management of human habitats so as to enhance the quality of life and protect the environment.

It also useful to note that similar promises have also been made by many Malaysian national, state and even municipal leaders at local functions, either to enhance legitimacy to their positions or show that they care and have the power to effect changes.

As such, as part of the observance of World Habitat Day; it is legitimate for Malaysians to ask what has been done about the pledges and promises in the last 365 days.

For instance, have more houses been built, particularly those that are affordable to the lower-income groups? Have the towns and cities become safer, especially for women, children and senior citizens?

Are there additional facilities for recreational activities? Are there more places for Malaysians and, visitors to have a life after work? Are there more facilities for senior citizens to have a life, taking into consideration that they have more "free" time but reduced or no income?

Are there more and better facilities for the physically handicapped,

the aged and infirm, and others with children to be mobile and lead an active life? Are there more safe and pleasant walkways and pedestrian crossings so that those who choose or have to walk have right of way and do so safely?

Are recent development projects sustainable? Have the streets and drains become cleaner? Has the air quality improved? Are the rivers cleaner and the hills better protected? Are there more commercial and industrial buildings, especially those catering to small operators? Have traffic jams been reduced and more jobs created?
Finally, and in view of this , year's theme, have the water quality and the delivery system improved? Has the sewerage system been upgraded to prevent pollution of the environment?

Unfortunately, while significant improvements have been made in certain areas resulting the development of some residential and commercial enclaves that are comparable to the best in the world, there are more negative than positive answers to the questions posed above.

For instance, although there has been significant progress in housing the people, including the lower- income groups, Malaysians are increasingly concerned about safety in the towns and cities.

The recent reports parliament of 703 cases of rape and 7,800 cases of snatch theft in the first six months of this year only serve to provide the statistical basis of frightening stories told privately among friends and relatives. The recent high-profile murder and rape cases certainly compound the rear factor.

Furthermore, the lack of walkways and pedestrian crossings coupled with the inability of local authorities to enforce traffic rules have turned even the daily tasks of walking to schools, markets and corner shops into dangerous adventures and death-defying exercises.

What is troubling is that there is no sense of urgency in striving to improve human settlements, especially in many local authorities, where it matters most.

The pledges made at international forums and even local functions are often forgotten or not communicated to the local authorities for action. Furthermore, those who make such pledges are not held accountable for the lack of action.

As such, World Habitat Day is a time to remember the pledges and promises to make human habitats safer, healthier and more livable, equitable, sustainable and productive.

It would be even better if time and energy were also allotted to find ways to hold those who make it the pledges and promises accountable.