The proportion of the urban population living in slums worldwide declined by 20 per cent between 2000 and 2014 (from 28 per cent to 23 per cent). That positive trend recently reversed course, and the proportion grew to 23.5 per cent in 2018. The absolute number of people living in slums or informal settlements grew to over 1 billion.

Adequate housing is a human right, and the absence of it negatively affects urban equity and inclusion, health and safety, and livelihood opportunities. Renewed policy attention and increased investments are needed to ensure affordable and adequate housing for all by 2030.

PlasticsEurope on Smart Building

The use of plastics in building and construction (B&C) saves energy, reduces costs and helps to protect the environment. Plastics applications also tend to be easier to install, last longer and require less maintenance than those using alternative materials. Reducing energy consumption in buildings is one of the most important ways of tackling climate change and preserving resources. It is also one of the least complicated, because solutions already exist and wait for more widespread depolyment.

The B&C industry uses plastics for a wide and growing range of applications including insulation, piping, window frames and interior design. In 2014, the European B&C sector consumed 9.6 million tonnes of plastics (20% of total European plastics consumption), making it the second largest plastic application after packaging.