Launch of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework requires an integrated territorial (both urban and rural) approach for the sustainable management of biodiversity. Linkages between urban processes and rural transformation across municipalities, countries, and world regions are essential for biodiversity conservation. Urban-rural linkages are constituted by reciprocal and repetitive flows of people, goods, and financial and environmental services between specific rural, peri-urban, and…

Adequate housing is a right of every person — regardless of age, gender, race or income level — and is the foundation for all human development, well-being and survival, as recognized by Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or UDHR.

The Lebanon Financing Facility (LFF) is a multi-donor trust fund administered by the World Bank (WB) and is kindly supported by Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France and Germany. The Beirut Housing Rehabilitation and Cultural and Creative Industries Recovery project-flyer offers an important overview of the LFF-funded project and UN-Habitat’s role as a fiduciary agent in implementing the project’s components.

The paper discusses blockchain’s unique features in relation to urban development and explores potential applications of blockchain in addressing challenges related to sustainable urbanization as well as the risks and challenges associated with its implementation. A key argument of the paper is that, like many technologies, blockchain itself is not a panacea for addressing sustainability challenges in urban areas and must be adopted whilst integrating human-centered approaches and robust busines

In support of planning, management, and implementation of actions to address recovery needs and urban durable solutions, UN-Habitat has developed the position paper « The territorial dimension of displacement in northern Mozambique » that aims to advocate for the promotion and joint implementation of integrated urban interventions improving the living conditions of host communities and IDPs, as well as supporting a local governance mechanism to drive sustainable urban development.

This paper sets out how working towards sustainable urbanization is crucial for the sustaining peace agenda. It builds on the ongoing reforms of the peace, security and development pillars of the United Nations and it illustrates how UN-Habitat’s expertise and experiences add value to the humanitarian development- peace actions of the UN in the region.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been a popular policy instrument to stimulate economic growth. It has widely been used globally in both developed and developing countries. While this is true, this paper finds that SEZ policy varies across countries based on different stages of development. But what are the interlinkages between SEZs and the megatrend of urbanization? Should SEZ policy objectives and design be contextualized to urban scenarios? To answer these questions, UN-Habitat partnered…

The novel coronavirus is a global health, economic and social crisis. With over 750 000 confirmed cases in 202 countries, territories and areas, Covid-19 had by the 1st of April 2020 caused over 35 000 deaths (WHO Africa, 2020). The effects of the virus have brought economies to an abrupt halt and will affect the possibility to achieve many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).