COVID-19, a global pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), is crippling the global economy and upending people’s lives thereby threatening sustainable development across all its dimensions. Africa is also facing the dire consequences of the crisis, necessitating timely response, recovery and rebuilding policies and strategies. Globally, urban areas are the epicenters of the epidemic accounting for most of the confirmed COVID-19 cases.

The First Compendium of Case Studies for the Implementation of Urban- Rural Linkages Guiding Principles and Framework for Action (URL-GP)” presents examples of the URL-GP application in different regions. The cases in this first edition and in subsequent editions are useful tools and inspiration for Member States, professionals and actors interested in enhancing Urban-Rural Linkages.

UN-Habitat is supporting over 50 countries in National Urban Policies (NUP) processes towards implementation of the SDGs and NUA. This guide primarily addresses decision-makers and stakeholders engaged in NUP to strengthen Urban-Rural Linkages (URL). Professionals and policymakers working on the urban-rural policy interface will find this guide useful to support their actions and decisions.

The State of Arab Cities report 2020 is driven by a sense of urgency around the headlong expansion of urbanization, in an area where more than two-thirds of the population will reside in cities by the middle of this century. In 1950, just two cities of the region had a million people, whereas by 2025 this is expected to reach 31. At a time whereas many Arab countries are undergoing major infrastructure initiatives and the proliferation of new cities, it is particularly useful to examine the…

UN-Habitat has conducted an objective, evidence-based assessment on the application of physical planning laws in 18 cities of the Land-Rich Developed Countries Region. The selection of cities is based on the UN Global Sample of 200 cities as a statistically and regionally representative dataset. The study considers whether the law is being applied as written and informs the discussion on the effectiveness of legislative design. This publication portrays the findings from the study with…

The Guidelines focus on the current situation of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, developing an approach that aims to build upon normative research on climate resilient, energy and resource efficient planning principles to develop tools for the development of net-zero carbon village guidelines.

This guide focuses on the processes involved in developing community-based Vulnerability and Risk Assessments and Action Plans, providing general content, tools, and guidance on participatory methodologies and techniques. It may be used to support slum and informal settlements upgrading initiatives or can be used as a stand-alone process tool in support of local action. Case studies from different regions exemplify the processes and methodologies described.

The Spatial Development Strategic Framework, also known as the city-region plans for Hebron, Ramallah and Al-Bireh, and Jerusalem governorates adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as the overarching framework to promote for the process of sustainable spatial development, and the achievement of harmonious urbanization through better functional urban-rural linkages in Palestine.

The Spatial Development Strategic Framework, also known as the city-region plans for Hebron, Ramallah and Al-Bireh, and Jerusalem governorates adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as the overarching framework to promote for the process of sustainable spatial development, and the achievement of harmonious urbanization through better functional urban-rural linkages in Palestine.