Charter of Calcutta

We are at a turning point in history
Our planetary environment is severely damaged
Desertification is spreading, the globe is warming
Entire ecosystems are under threat
And the City is at the centre of the storm of destruction

But that is the key!
We must cease seeing the City as a problem
We must see the City as the solution
For the City is our home
It is what we make it to be
It is where we live

If we fail to seize the Future,
We will be consumed by the Past
The Future begins NOW!

Let the Charter of Calcutta be simple and clear,
To be heard by all,
And filled with hope and vision -

The City Can Save the World!

Charter of Calcutta - History

Proposed by Paul F. Downton (Australia), endorsed by a panel consisting of Dr. Wale Odeleye (Nigeria), Prof. Christine Boyer (USA), Mr. Dean Ackemecht (Switzerland) and Prof. Santosh Ghosh (India) and adopted in the Concluding Session of the International Conference and Exhibition on Architecture of Cities held in Calcutta on the 20th. November, 1990 and organised by the Indian Institute of Architects, West Bengal Chapter.

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