UN-Habitat has conducted an international benchmarking case study of planning laws in five countries and one sub-national region (Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, South Korea and Catalonia Region, Spain) to assess the impact of planning laws in these contexts on sustainable urban development. This has provided a spectrum of regulatory models and schemes for the spatial planning legal reform agenda in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These case studies reveal that planning legal frameworks…

Youth are on the frontlines of climate action in an increasingly urbanized world. As cities grow and climate risks intensify, young people are leading the charge with bold ideas, activism, and local solutions. This publication explores their vital role in shaping sustainable, resilient cities, highlighted throughout Urban October.

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,…

The paper ‘Urban Regeneration for Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals’ focuses on demonstrating how urban regeneration can drive progress across at least 15 SDGs and advance 45 targets. It includes four case studies from different regions to illustrate the impacts and lessons learnt.

The Shanghai Manual was established in 2011 following the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai and serves as a tool to support the efforts of mayors and urban practitioners in advancing sustainable urban development. The ideas and principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and New Urban Agenda have been integrated into the Manual, with a focus on challenges such as how to achieve inclusive and liveable cities, innovative and creative cities and sustainable and resilient cities.
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Mexico has launched a housing policy to enhance the quality of housing, inclusivity, and the public sector's role in urban development. Activities include renovating housing and neighborhoods, providing critical services and infrastructure to marginalized communities, and encouraging diversified, inclusive, and sustainable living options. The policy faces challenges, such as limited government funding and the demand to attract private sector investments, as well as developing the capacity…

El potencial del Presupuesto Participativo (PP), especialmente el relacionado con los beneficios indirectos generados, sigue sin ser explorado. El PP permite la rápida adopción de acciones y la asignación de recursos financieros que resultan de las interacciones entre habitantes y gobierno.Los autores proponen formas innovadoras de PP para difundir información relevante, aumentar la conciencia y mitigar riesgos e impactos de las crisis naturales, sanitarias y económicas de una forma más efectiva

The potential of Participatory Budgeting (PB), especially the subsequent downstream benefits that can be generated, remains still unexplored. PB makes possible the adoption of actions and the allocation of financial resources that result from the interactions between people and government. The authors propose innovative ways to engage with PB as a driver to disseminate information, increase awareness, and mitigate the risks and impacts of natural, health, and economic shocks.

La publicación “Explorando la Función del Presupuesto Participativo en la Aceleración de los Objetivos del Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS): Un Enfoque Multidimensional en General Escobedo, México" introduce cuáles son las conexiones entre el Presupuesto Participativo (PP) y la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible.