Comparative Analysis of Non-Profit Housing Legal Frameworks in five countries: Austria, Brazil, England, Netherlands, and South Africa: Urban Legal Case Studies, Volume 12 2023 More than 1.8 billion people worldwide lack adequate housing and the number of people living in informal settlements has passed a billion. Housing is a fundamental human right and UN-Habitat recognizes its catalyst role in the sustainable development agenda. ‘Housing at the centre’, a global approach set out by UN-Habitat in 2015, puts people and human rights at the foreground of sustainable urban development policies to leave no one and no place behind. A more coherent and comprehensive framework of affordable housing is necessary to ensure broad access to this necessity of life, one which facilitates cooperation across socio-economic backgrounds and creates shared interests in a safe community, a strong economy, and a vibrant social scene to harness the framework’s transformative potential.



The affordable housing solutions generated by the non-profit housing sector provide a novel framework for reforming affordable housing policy and legal frameworks. UN-Habitat has conducted a comparative analysis of the non-profit housing sector in five countries (Austria, Brazil, England, Netherlands, and South Africa), which serve as best practice legal frameworks for a robust and sustainable social housing sector. Through this assessment, UN-Habitat seeks to promote the participation of the non-profit sector in the provision of social housing to meet the demand for urban housing needs and to bridge the housing affordability gap. This document is intended to not only help countries create or strengthen their legal frameworks to support the participation of non-profit organizations in the housing sector, but also proposes new governance frameworks to facilitate this. The primary purpose of this analysis is to provide a framework for the successful development, support, and sustenance of a non-profit housing sector in any country that seeks to adopt this approach to diversifying the housing stock. Naturally, its application depends on development priorities. To capitalize on the best practice available, a country checklist has been provided that will assist countries to conduct an internal assessment on its housing needs, existing policy and legal framework, and financial means which will provide systematic guidance for legislative, policy and institutional reform.
Vision, Scenario Building, and Action Plan for the subdivision of Douala 4 2023 Based on the Douala Spatial Profile, the Visioning, Scenario and Action Plan report is a unifying response to address identified challenges and to foresee an inclusive and sustainable environment in Douala 4. This report, built with the full engagement of all stakeholders of the city, supports the urban planning decision-making process by drawing a roadmap and listing priority investments.
A Brief History of Quality of Life: From Aristotle to the Present, Evolution of a Concept at the Core of Human Development 2023 The present document is the first in a series which takes a closer look at how the Quality of Life Initiative is co-creating a more inclusive, human-centred vision of quality of life in cities. This series zooms in on different aspects of the Initiative, while presenting a coherent picture of how the different pieces come together.
UN-Habitat Iraq Newsletter – January 2023 (Arabic) 2023 UN-Habitat Iraq January 2023 Newsletter: Provides an update on UN-Habitat’s activities in Iraq as well as relevant policy and advocacy topics.
Decision Making in Metropolitan Governance 2023 Through this research of 22 case studies in the 5 regions of the world based on the
regulatory frameworks of metropolitan management, UN-Habitat in collaboration with
the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, has identified the most important findings and
trends on the regulation of decision-making in the metropolitan areas under study.

This guide explores the most significant aspects of decision-making systems in
metropolitan governance, addressing affairs such as legitimacy, democratic
participation, transparency and their impact on the management of metropolitan
territories. It also offers practical tools based on international trends and case study
findings to facilitate inclusive and equitable processes.

The case study identified key messages and policy recommendations, which seek to
inspire and guide those who have the competence to make decisions on affairs of
metropolitan interest, the authorities responsible for regulating metropolitan governance
and the networks of cities and metropolises and stakeholders interested in metropolitan
development, to promote and strengthen the formalization of governance mechanisms
and the elements of the metropolitan decision-making system.
Integrating health in urban and territorial planning: A sourcebook for urban leaders, health and planning professionals 2023 This sourcebook identifies a comprehensive selection of existing resources and tools to support the incorporation of health into UTP, including advocacy frameworks, entry points and guidance, as well as tools and illustrative case studies. It does not provide prescriptions for specific scenarios – these should be determined by context, people and available resources.
Urban Climate Action - The Urban Content of the NDCs: Global Review 2022 2023 The world is on track to reach a peak global temperature rise by 2100 that far exceeds the 1.5⁰C target needed to reduce the worst climate change impacts. Cities are particularly critical as they account for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions, consume 78% of the world’s energy and will comprise 68% of the global population by 2050. This report explores the linkage between national climate plans known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and urban issues.
Strengthen UN-Habitat Regional Representation in Sub-Saharan Africa 2023
Rescuing SDG 11 for a resilient urban planet 2023 The current report shows that the world is off track in achieving SDG 11. Rescuing SDG 11 is urgent for the sake of present and future generations. The report points to the immense opportunities that exist and the innovations that are already underway.

The report was prepared by UN-Habitat as a lead coordinator, with inputs from several UN custodian agencies, other UN entities, civil society, academia, United Cities and Local Governments, and various other stakeholders and partners.
Rethinking Central Government Policymaking for Local Economic Development – National Recommendations to Revitalize Local Economies in Lebanon 2023