| The Spatial Development Plan for Karak Governorate (2024–2028) | 2026 | The Spatial Development Plan for Karak Governorate (2024–2028) provides a strategic roadmap for sustainable development, grounded in comprehensive spatial analysis and a participatory visioning process. It defines development priorities, identifies key growth sectors, and outlines priority investment projects to enhance socio-economic progress over the next five years. |
| Metropolitan Legislation Toolkit: Guide to Formulate and Strengthen Metropolitan Normative Frameworks for Metropolitan Management | 2026 | The Metropolitan Legislation Toolkit invites countries and metropolitan territories to review their existing legal arrangements, identify legal gaps, and overcome institutional fragmentation. Its purpose is to turn legislation into an enabler of integrated metropolitan solutions, capable of responding to contemporary urban dynamics and improving quality of life. Metropolitan areas are today one of the most relevant territorial expressions of urbanization. Their growth exceeds traditional administrative boundaries and raises complex challenges related to governance, planning, financing, sustainability, and interjurisdictional coordination. |
| Activating food-tech ecosystems in intermediary cities for sustainable food security | 2026 | Transforming agro-food to advance food security while promoting sustainable industrialisation in developing countries is an urgent priority. Intermediary cities, as vital connectors between urban and rural areas, are piloting innovative solutions to drive this transformation through food-tech. This policy brief examines how innovation ecosystems in intermediary cities can contribute to achieving net-zero emissions and zero hunger and presents key recommendations for development policy. It has been prepared within the framework of the G20 Platform on SDG Localisation and Intermediary Cities (PLIC) under the South African G20 Presidency. |
| Land Governance in the Middle East: Regional Perspectives for Improved Land Administration and Access to Housing | 2026 | The report “Land Governance in the Middle East: Regional Perspectives for Improved Land Administration and Access to Housing” was developed by UN Habitat and the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN), in partnership with the Urban Training and Studies Institute (UTI) and with financial support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of the Federal Republic of Germany, to respond to the growing recognition that land governance is central to sustainable development, adequate housing, poverty reduction, gender equality, climate resilience, and recovery in crisis settings. By addressing critical gaps in land related data and fragmented understandings of land governance, the report represents one of the first systematic efforts to establish a common analytical framework for the Arab region. |
| Urban Content in NDC 3.0: Cities at the Centre | 2026 | Urban Content in NDC 3.0: Cities at the Centre is the most comprehensive global analysis to date of how cities feature in national climate plans. Drawing on 142 third-generation Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) submitted by mid-April 2026, the report delivers findings across sectors, regions, income groups, and NDC revision cycles, at a scale and depth not previously possible. |
| Urban October report 2025 | 2026 | The Urban October Report 2025 highlights global discussions and actions on sustainable urbanization held throughout October. The month opened with World Habitat Day in Nairobi under the theme “Urban Crisis Response,” focusing on how cities can address displacement, climate shocks and growing housing needs through inclusive planning, adequate housing and access to basic services. It closed with World Cities Day in Bogotá under the theme “People-centred Smart Cities,” exploring how digital technologies, data and AI can improve urban governance, service delivery and resilience while ensuring inclusion. Urban October 2025 mobilized 579 events across 58 countries, bringing together governments, communities and partners worldwide. The report also highlights the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award winners and innovative practices supporting more inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities. |
| Policy and Legislation Section Annual Report 2025 | 2026 | The 2025 Annual Report of the Policy and Legislation Section (PLS) presents a year of steady progress in advancing sustainable urban development. Through diverse initiatives and collaborative partnerships with donors, development partners, and countries, UN-Habitat through PLS has continued to strengthen policy, legislative, and governance frameworks at national and subnational levels. The report also identifies emerging priorities that will guide the Section’s work in 2026, supporting global efforts toward the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. |
| Building resilience through disaster risk management in intermediary cities | 2026 | Natural disasters and extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity globally. Local governments, including intermediary cities, are on the frontline of disaster risk management. Increasing their resilience is critical to protect lives and support economic development. This is particularly true in developing countries where local governments, especially in intermediary cities, lack financing and management capacities to prevent, react and rebuild in an inclusive and sustainable way. Drawing on the OECD Compendium of Good Practices for Quality Infrastructure 2024, this policy brief provides an overview of good practices to ensure infrastructure resilience and shares recommendations for development partners to embed disaster risk management as a foundation for safer, more equitable, and resilient societies. It has been prepared within the framework of the G20 Platform on SDG Localisation and Intermediary Cities (PLIC) under the South African G20 Presidency. |
| LE GRAND BAMAKO ET LES RELATIONS VILLES-CAMPAGNES (RVC) | 2026 | Au Mali, la thématique des Relations Villes-Campagnes (RVC) est désormais au cœur de la gestion territoriale pour un développement durable. Le concept du « Grand Bamako » illustre cette mutation où les zones urbaines, périurbaines et rurales forment une métropole unique et intégrée. Les points clés du document soulignent : L'intégration nécessaire : Il est impératif d'abandonner la dichotomie traditionnelle entre urbain et rural pour adopter une planification unifiée. La dynamique des flux : Les RVC reposent sur une synergie de fonctions et de flux (personnes, ressources, capitaux, services) au sein d'un continuum urbain-rural. Une gouvernance équitable : Un cadre d'action doit structurer les investissements, la protection de l'environnement et la planification afin de garantir des bénéfices partagés pour toutes les parties prenantes. L'engagement local : Les populations locales, qui maîtrisent déjà ces dynamiques sur le terrain, doivent être pleinement intégrées au processus de développement. Ce document s'établit comme un levier stratégique pour les acteurs maliens de l'urbanisme et du développement durable. Il vise à opérationnaliser les agendas mondiaux, notamment le Nouveau Programme pour les Villes (NPV) et l’Agenda 2030 (ODD), tout en s'alignant sur les priorités du Plan Stratégique 2026-2029 de ONU-Habitat |
| Quality of Life in Cities: Experiences of cities piloting the Quality of Life Index | 2026 | Quality of Life in Cities: Experiences of Cities Piloting the Quality of Life Index examines how five pilot cities implemented the Quality of Life Index, drawing on their experiences to assess its feasibility, value, and impact. The report highlights practical lessons on governance, stakeholder engagement, data collection, and policy integration, demonstrating how the Index supports evidence-based, people-centered urban development. Its findings provide actionable recommendations to guide cities and UN-Habitat in scaling the Initiative and strengthening the use of quality of life data in urban decision-making. |