This report provides an overview of the cooperation between the European Union and UN-Habitat over from 2014-2020 which corresponds to the EU’s last Multiannual Financial Framework. It provides key data on funding received by UN-Habitat for programmes around the world and gives impact stories from a selection of programmes. It also outlines next steps for cooperation.

UN-Habitat’s Catalogue of Services provides the current range of ways in which the organization can support national and local governments, partners and stakeholders to address their development challenges and advance sustainable and inclusive urban development using its services, expertise and tools.

he future of the world’s population will undeniably continue to be urban albeit with a variety of challenges such as inequalities, climate change, unemployment, including numerous shocks such as floods and drought, conflict, and macroeconomic challenges. In 2050, 68% of the world’s population is expected to reside in urban areas, up from 56% in 2020.

The Zambian government and UN-Habitat have implemented various strategies and policies to address the housing deficit, including upgrading informal settlements, improving land tenure security, and promoting affordable housing finance options. However, challenges remain due to the high cost of building materials, lack of access to affordable finance, weak land administration systems, and the informal nature of much of the housing stock.

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…

The evaluation of UN-Habitat's Housing Approach aimed to assess the agency's efforts in promoting adequate housing for all and sustainable urbanization, addressing the challenge of rapid urbanization leading to the spread of slums in developing regions. The Housing Approach focuses on policy reform, operationalizing housing strategies, and implementing housing programs and projects, and its performance was evaluated based on five fundamental activities. The ultimate goal is to…

The State of the Lebanese Cities Report presents primary and secondary data and analysis across themes relevant to sustainable development in Lebanon as an overwhelmingly urban country. Following decades of rapid and unplanned urban expansion resulting in dire inequalities in access to services and infrastructure within and between cities which have been exacerbated by the compound crisis emerging since 2019.

Access to affordable, adequate and secure housing presents a major challenge in Lebanon, especially in big urban centres. The housing sector is characterized by a persistent housing–income disconnect and supply–demand mismatch. Besides long-standing issues, the sector’s challenges have also exacerbated due to the multiple crises facing the country – protracted Syrian refugee crisis, 2020 Beirut Port explosion, and socioeconomic crisis.

This guide addresses how housing can be incorporated into policies, specifically the Jordan National Urban Policy, to promote sustainable development. It highlights key issues worth considering and is intended to be utilised as a means of providing direction and guidance to readers through recommendations/checklists to mainstream the several coexisting and consistent housing challenges in Jordan.