The challenge
UN-Habitat’s research shows that well-functioning cities have around 50% of the surface area dedicated to public space. Unfortunately, few cities around the world meet this target. Lack of quality public spaces reduces urban quality of life, increasing crime, social tensions, health and congestion. Public space provides leverage to optimize urban performance – build safer and cohesive communities, reduce spatial inequalities, build local economies and bring nature back to the city. Learn more about the impact of the Global Public Space Programme.
Impact
News and Stories
Featured Stories & Videos
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Tripoli, Lebanon’s most marginalised city, sees positive impact of basic services
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Students at a school in Syria can now stroll safely to schools after roads are secured
Featured Stories & Videos
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Somaliland locals to enjoy upcoming developments of the public Berbera beachfront
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More than 200 children co-design the Central Park of Madrid Nuevo Norte using digital gaming
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UN-Habitat Global Public Space Programme announces the small-scale public space projects awards
Donors and partners
As part of our public space work, we work with a wide range of partners – including local and national governments, civil society academia and the private sector. The UN-Habitat public space network includes more than 100 organizations that regularly meet to bring the public agenda forward. Our public space regeneration projects – so far in 35 countries - are usually implemented through a collaboration between UN-Habitat, the local government and a civil society organization, but in some cases also with other UN agencies, for example with UNICEF in Mozambique and with UN Women in Tunisia. Since 2016 we have organized regular meetings of the United Nations Public Space network.