| Digital Metropolis - Working Paper: Projects for Metropolitan Digital Transition | 2026 | Projects for Metropolitan Digital Transition is a Working Paper jointly developed by UN-Habitat’s MetroHUB initiative and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) to guide metropolitan and local authorities, urban experts and practitioners, as well as technology solution developers, in shaping a metropolitan-scale digital transition. The document provides a practical framework to move from standalone initiatives to integrated projects that create public value, strengthen inter-municipal coordination, and build institutional capacity. Throughout the paper, digital transformation is understood as far more than adopting technology: it requires strengthening capabilities, clarifying institutional arrangements, and improving coordination across jurisdictions to tackle challenges that no single municipality can solve alone. The paper also brings together a set of pilot project ideas designed to accelerate digital transition from a metropolitan perspective. These proposals are framed as enabling, adaptable projects suited to different institutional and territorial realities, aimed at creating the conditions for inter-municipal integration, shared data use, and better decision-making. Broadly, the proposed lines of work include: artificial intelligence for anticipatory and targeted interventions; IoT and sensor networks for real-time monitoring and management; GIS and 3D visualization for integrated spatial analysis; urban digital twins for scenario simulation and policy testing; and multichannel digital services to expand access to procedures, services, and participation across the metropolitan system. Overall, the document calls for a step change: from sector-by-sector or municipality-by-municipality digitalization to a metropolitan project agenda that is interoperable, scalable, and public-value driven, strengthening governance, reducing internal gaps, and enabling more coordinated, inclusive, and resilient management. |
| Berdaale 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 Berdaale 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. |
| UN-Habitat Technical Assistance Report: Rapid Assessment of the Legal Framework for Urban Development in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam | 2025 | UN-Habitat, as part of the Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building (ISCB) project in Viet Nam funded by the Government of Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) as well as in collaboration with the Urban Development Agency under the Ministry of Construction, conducted a rapid assessment of Vietnam’s legal framework for urban development. The legislative analysis focussed on planning, housing, land, and local governance which identified key gaps, overlaps, and areas for reform. The assessment offers actionable recommendations to support the drafting of a new Urban Development and Management Law for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient urbanization. |
| Global Public Space Programme: UN-Habitat’s initiatives towards safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces for all | 2025 | 2024 marked a transitional year for UN-Habitat’s Global Public Space Programme. The Programme delivered impactful action in 13 countries, benefiting over 70,000 people through initiatives advancing climate resilience, social inclusion, and crisis response. From neighborhood delivery to global platforms, the year reaffirmed public space as a foundation for equitable cities and a key enabler of housing, basic services, and sustainable urban development. |
| Building urban resilience and climate adaptation in African small island developing states after the COVID-19 crisis. | 2025 | |
| Urban Regeneration for Inclusive Communities, Thriving Cities: Clarification Note | 2025 | Clarification Note for UN-Habitat’s ‘Inclusive Communities, Thriving Cities’ Flagship Programme: frames urban regeneration as an integrated, inclusive, area-based process to reduce spatial inequality and advance the SDGs; clarifies terms (renewal, revitalisation, regeneration); maps key entry points; and showcases global practice. |
| Annual Report 2024 | 2025 | UN-Habitat’s 2024 Annual Report, Adequate Housing for All, highlights global efforts to address the housing crisis and advance sustainable urbanization. The report showcases progress in reducing inequality, promoting prosperity, acting for climate change and building resilience. Through case studies and impact data, it details efforts in addressing adequate housing worldwide. |
| Legislation, Governance and Finance of Public Spaces | 2025 | Public spaces are vital for the dynamic social, environmental and health need functions as part of public life of diverse user groups, as they provide areas for social encounter, civic and political engagement, recreation (including work, play and study), shelter needs and other forms of community engagement. This publication has examined the crucial role that legislation, governance, and financial frameworks play as critical aspects of public space management and development. It has provided a detailed analysis of how the above frameworks influence the creation, management and sustainability of public spaces. This is particularly relevant and useful for many decision-makers and stakeholders since globally, current legislative, governance and financial approaches often fall short of effectively managing public spaces, leading to neglect, deterioration, and ultimately privatization of public space. Thus, by showcasing innovative models to strengthen legal frameworks, improve fiscal resources and enhance governance frameworks, this publication makes a significant contribution to the achievement of SDG 11, especially target 11.7 which aims (by 2030) to deliver universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces particularly for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities. |
| Country Case Studies and Comparative Analysis of Planning Laws in Six (6) Countries: Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, South Korea and Spain (Catalonia Region). | 2025 | UN-Habitat has conducted an international benchmarking case study of planning laws in five countries and one sub-national region (Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, South Korea and Catalonia Region, Spain) to assess the impact of planning laws in these contexts on sustainable urban development. This has provided a spectrum of regulatory models and schemes for the spatial planning legal reform agenda in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These case studies reveal that planning legal frameworks should clearly define planning objectives and principles which is part of sound policymaking to articulate the scope of the planning instrument as well as an opportunity to reflect the local needs and challenges. Additionally, for smooth implementation, planning laws should contain robust fiscal mechanisms to support equitable urban growth and development. Effective spatial planning laws promote coordination between institutions at the national level with those at the regional and local levels for the planning, implementation, approval and oversight of development projects, plans and documents. |
| Stronger women stronger cities: UN-Habitat’s action for change 2020 – 2025 | 2025 | This publication presents a summary of UN-Habitat’s gender equality impact over the past five years, in line with the Beijing reporting cycle. Using examples of UNHabitat’s work across the different regions, from Nepal to Brazil, this document aims to make a clear case of the interconnected and mutually re-enforcing relationship between gender equality, women’s empowerment, and sustainable urban development. |