| Housing, Land and Property (HLP)-Sensitive Urban Law: Enhancing urban law to protect HLP across the conflict cycle (Conflict Prevention) | 2025 | As the world continues to urbanize, cities face greater challenges in responding to humanitarian crises and achieving sustainable post-conflict development that upholds everyone’s right to adequate housing. The impacts of conflict are increasingly being experienced in urban areas around the world – as seen in modern crises such as those in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, Yemen and Syria – putting the housing, land and property (HLP) rights of civilians at risk. HLP issues arise in conflict contexts, but many of the challenges surrounding these issues, such as return, restitution, adjudication and dispute-resolution, can be traced back to tenure insecurity caused by poor governance, chaotic urbanization, weak land administration and inadequate housing law and policy. For this reason, urban law has a critical role to play in preventing conflicts and their collateral impacts on people’s access to their HLP. In establishing the legal frameworks for the governance, management and development of urban areas, urban law can strengthen tenure security and reduce the likelihood of land being a root cause or trigger of conflict. As the first publication in the “Urban Law and Conflict Series”, this report examines how urban law can support accountable, inclusive and responsive urban governance, spatial planning, land administration and housing law and policy to prevent conflict and mitigate the adverse impacts of conflict on HLP rights. |
| PLGS Annual Report 2024 | 2025 | Building upon a successful 2023, the 2024 Annual Report of the Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS) showcases continued progress towards achieving sustainable urban development. Through a range of impactful activities, PLGS strengthened its collaboration with donors, development partners, and beneficiary countries, advancing UN-Habitat work on policy, legislation, governance, metropolitan management, and urban-rural linkages. This report highlights key achievements, financial performance, and outlines ambitious plans for 2025 to further contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. |
| La Ciudad de Ellas | 2025 | La Guía La ciudad de Ellas - Integrar la inclusión en el desarrollo urbano sostenible mediante la innovación transformadora de género La ciudad de Ellas apoya el desarrollo urbano partiendo de la perspectiva de las niñas y mujeres. Involucrar a las niñas y las mujeres en el desarrollo urbano hará que la ciudad sea mejor para todas las personas, porque ellas planifican y diseñan teniendo en cuenta la diversidad y las diferentes necesidades. Los procesos participativos son clave para planificar una ciudad que funcione para todos, y si permitimos que la ciudadanía que casi nunca es escuchada sea quien aporte su experiencia, nuestras ciudades y comunidades serán más inclusivas, equitativas y sostenibles. Al dejar que Ella te guíe a lo largo del proceso de desarrollo urbano, mejorarás la planificación urbana participativa, el diseño y la implementación, aspectos fundamentales para construir una ciudad que funcione para todos y todas. |
| Multilayered Vulnerability Profile for San Juan de Pasto, Colombia | 2025 | Nestled between the Amazon, the Biopacific, and the Andes, Pasto, Colombia, at the border with Ecuador, faces urgent climate and urban challenges. This Multidimensional Vulnerability Analysis uncovers hidden risks, critical weaknesses, and powerful opportunities to build a resilient and sustainable city. |
| Municipal Resource Mobilization Manual - Building the capacity of municipalities and unions of municipalities | 2025 | |
| AI for Spatial Mapping and Analysis: GeoAI Toolkit for Urban Planners | 2025 | This Toolkit provides planners and city leaders with practical guidance on applying Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) to urban planning and decision-making. It explains key concepts, applications, risks and benefits, and provides step-by-step guidance, case studies and tools to support responsible, data-driven and inclusive planning for sustainable and resilient urban development. |
| The Impact of UN-Habitat’s Work on Women and Girls Living in informal Settlements | 2025 | Since 1992, UN-Habitat has been working in Afghanistan to improve living conditions for people in vulnerable situations. While cities grew fast in recent years due to conflict-induced displacement, it is now climate change (reducing agricultural livelihoods), forced displacement from neighboring countries, and a large number of people in protracted internal displacement contexts which have resulted in rapid urban growth. A recent study found that Kabul’s built-up area expanded by 72% between 2008 and 2021. And cities keep growing. Many people in vulnerable situations settle in informal, unplanned and underserviced areas of cities – often in high-risk locations prone to flooding, landslides, and water shortages. Also, inadequate housing, no waste management, absence of sanitation and constant risk of forced evictions add to those challenges. Women are most impacted by inadequate housing conditions, the lack of proper sanitation and hygiene, being responsible for providing water for the family, and the absence of basic services in those informal settlements. Read more to discover how UN-Habitat's work shapes women's lives in Afghanistan. |
| Bridging the Divide: A review of Urban-Rural Linkages in Burkina Faso | 2025 | Delve into this in-depth analysis of the economic, environmental, and social challenges faced by both urban and rural communities in Burkina Faso. 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 Burkina Faso’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 Burkina Faso. 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 Burkina Faso. 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 Burkinabè citizens. |
| UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029 (One Pager) | 2025 | UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 places housing, land and basic services at the centre of sustainable urban development. Responding to the global housing crisis affecting billions, the plan drives action on poverty, climate and crises, advancing the SDGs through inclusive policies, partnerships and impact. |
| Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2024: Digital Urban Governance | 2025 | Cities face tremendous challenges, demanding advanced and effective urban governance measures and tools. Digital solutions offer transformative potential through resources optimization, services enhancement, and inclusivity development. The Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2024 draws a clear technological landscape and implementation roadmap; collects 10 innovative practices from Chinese cities and enterprises; and launches Global Digital Urban Governance Initiatives. By embracing tech-driven collaboration, cities can build a more sustainable and inclusive future. |