| The Urban Law and Conflict Series (Volume 2, Emergency Response): Enhancing Urban Law to Protect Housing, Land and Property Across the Conflict Cycle | 2026 | As global urbanization accelerates, cities are increasingly on the front lines of humanitarian crises and post-conflict recovery, while bearing a growing responsibility to uphold the right to adequate housing. Conflict is now predominantly unfolding in urban settings, as seen in recent crises in Palestine, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen, where widespread housing destruction and mass displacement have placed large civilian populations at risk of losing their homes, land, and tenure security. Many of the resulting challenges, such as safe return, restitution, adjudication, and dispute resolution, are rooted in pre-existing tenure insecurity linked to weak governance, unplanned urbanization, fragile land administration systems, and inadequate housing laws and policies. Against this backdrop, urban law plays a critical role in creating the conditions for peace, security, and recovery during emergencies and in post-conflict contexts. As the second publication in the Urban Law and Conflict Series, this report explores how urban law can support accountable, inclusive, and responsive urban governance, spatial planning, land administration, and housing law and policy to mitigate the immediate impacts of conflict on housing, land, and property (HLP) rights. This includes, among other measures, reducing residential disruption and displacement, safeguarding land records, enabling emergency shelter, and regulating secondary occupation. |
| Evaluating the Impact of New Urban Legislation: A Guide to Ex-Ante Analysis | 2026 | This guide is designed to be adaptable to different legal, institutional, and resource contexts. It may be applied at various stages of the legislative cycle, including during the drafting of new laws, the revision of existing legislation, or the evaluation of proposed amendments. While the full methodology is intended for comprehensive impact assessments, elements of the guide can also be applied in a simplified manner where time, data, or institutional capacity is limited. By offering a modular and scalable approach, the guide supports national and local authorities in strengthening the quality and effectiveness of urban legislation, regardless of context. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Vision, Area Planning, and Action Plan Report for Kafr El-Battikh City-Egypt | 2025 | In the light of the analytical work and the exchanges carried out during the first part of the UPIMC programme in Damietta Governorate, this report developed a strategic vision based on an urban strategy developed in full engagement of all stakeholders. This report, which is the output of the second component, draws on the spatial profile that has been created to generate a common strategic vision and scenario and to provide an action plan for accomplishing it by identifying priority infrastructure investments which seek to enhance the living conditions for both local communities and refugees. This method is fully described in the report’s chapters. |
| WUF12 Report | 2025 | The WUF12 Report provides an overview of the programme, participation and strategic highlights from the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum, held in Cairo, Egypt. It showcases the sustainability, inclusivity and diversity of the Forum, reflecting the collective efforts to advance sustainable urban development and implement the New Urban Agenda. |
| Urban Impact Issue 30 | 2025 | |
| Baardheere Strategic Urban Plan for Durable Solutions to Displacement | 2025 | The displacement crisis in Somalia is a longstanding problem exacerbated by natural disasters, floods, droughts, and continued conflicts throughout many parts of the country. The persistent influx of displaced persons continues to impose challenges on urban areas while hindering social, economic, and environmental development. The issues extend beyond just humanitarian concerns. Cities and towns in Somalia must quickly absorb large numbers of newcomers, putting pressure on the existing resources and often leading to the creation of informal settlements that only perpetuate displacement and inequality by leaving IDPs in crowded and precarious conditions. The Baardheere Strategic Urban Plan for Durable Solutions to Displacement was elaborated through a partnership between UN-Habitat and the Danwadaag Consortium, led by IOM. It aims to support cities and local authorities in enabling durable solutions for displaced-affected communities (DACs) and trigger long-term city development through inclusive, displacement-sensitive, and sustainable urban planning processes. The report is a first step toward challenging the status quo in Somalia by shifting from humanitarian and emergency interventions to more permanent responses to displacement in terms of land tenure, housing provision, livelihood opportunities, infrastructure delivery, and basic services accessibility. Furthermore, it provides a clear roadmap and framework to facilitate decision-making regarding potential urban development actions and attract capital investments to implement specific interventions. |
| Bridging the Divide: A review of Urban-Rural Linkages in Senegal | 2025 | Delve into this in-depth analysis of the economic, environmental, and social challenges faced by both urban and rural communities in Senegal. Gain valuable insights into the intricate interplay between these two domains and their impact on the nation’s development trajectory. The report offers a thorough assessment of Senegal’s national policies and strategies through the lens of urban-rural linkages, shedding light on their effectiveness and relevance in addressing key developmental issues. Discover how these policies shape the socio-economic landscape and influence the well-being of communities across the country. Furthermore, read more on an evaluation of institutional capacities and stakeholder engagement surrounding urban-rural linkages in Senegal. Explore the extent of institutional involvement and capacity development in addressing these challenges and uncover opportunities for enhancing collaboration and coordination among stakeholders. Finally, read on a set of actionable policy recommendations aimed at fostering sustainable development and promoting inclusive growth in Senegal. From bolstering infrastructure and improving access to basic services to enhancing governance structures and empowering local communities, our recommendations offer a roadmap for driving positive change and building a more resilient future for all Senegalese citizens. |
| Rising temperatures, rising tensions: The urban climate-conflict nexus amid the global housing crisis | 2025 |