Compendium of case studies for the implementation of the urban-rural linkages: Guiding principles (URL-GP) and framework for action, first edition

UN-Habitat and partners are developing tools to strengthen urban-rural linkages to end poverty, reduce inequality, and increase the resilience, sustainability and prosperity of integrated urban-rural territories.

Following the launch of the ‘Urban-Rural Linkages: Guiding Principles (URL-GP) and Framework for Action’ to advance integrated Territorial Development after more than a year of multistakeholder consultations, and the adoption of UN-Habitat’s Resolution HSP/ HA.1/Res.5 on “Enhancing urban-rural linkages for sustainable urbanisation” during the first UN-Habitat Assembly in May, 2019, “The First Compendium of Case Studies for the Implementation of the Urban-Rural Linkages: Guiding Principles and Framework for Action” includes examples of the application of URL-GP in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Each of the cases has relevance to specific Guiding Principles and include interventions from sections of the Framework for Action.

The URL-GP are a pathway for balanced inclusion of both rural and urban actors in the effort to localise and implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda (NUA) through integrated territorial planning and development. They address the complexity of dynamic urban-rural flows and the need for a systems approach. They underline the need for inclusive, participatory approaches and integration of actors and levels of governance. They call for the development of assessment tools to address challenges, opportunities, data needs and policy gaps.

It is hoped that this initial Compendium of case studies will grow in the future with many more cases and all are invited to provide experiences and case studies to learn from the application of the URL-GP in their work to support sustainable development.