This paper explores the potential of public spaces to foster healthier cities, with a specific focus on the role of urban planners and local governments. It introduces the topic by examining global agendas that highlight the interconnectedness of public spaces and health, emphasizing the synergies between them. The paper outlines seven strategies proposed by UN-Habitat for enhancing health outcomes through public spaces and concludes with five actionable recommendations to effectively implement…

This UN-Habitat publication presents best practice case studies and regional guidelines for housing rehabilitation in historic settlements across the Arab region. Developed with UNESCO and the Islamic Development Bank, it highlights inclusive, sustainable, and resilient approaches to preserve heritage while strengthening communities.

Many development practitioners have, until recently, viewed urban and rural areas as two mutually exclusive territories. However, this does not reflect the realities of the spatial and sectoral linkages between urban and rural areas. The two territories are two ends of a continuum of human settlements which are spatially and functionally interconnected and interdependent through physical, social, economic and environmental linkages that are continuously changing in time and space. During the…

Globally, urbanization has increased significantly, with the world’s urban population expected to reach 68.5% by 2045. Although urbanization brings economic opportunities and improved living conditions, if not well managed, it can also present urban and social challenges such as slums, poverty, and environmental degradation. While many countries around the world have formulated National Urban Policy (NUP) to manage their urbanization, associated implementation challenges such as institutional…

More people live in cities than ever before. The urban population more than doubled from 1.5 billion in 1975 to 3.5 billion in 2015 and is estimated to reach more than 50% by 2050. This affirms the role of cities in sustainable development and the importance of National Urban Policies in as coordinating frameworks, to manage the urbanization process in an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable way. National governments are encouraged to develop and implement New Generation Urban Policies (NUPs…

As part of the commitment of the Niger State Government (Nigeria) in creating compact, connected, socially inclusive and self-sustaining towns and cities in the State, the State Government has developed her Urban Development Policy with technical assistance from UN-Habitat. The overall goal of the Niger State Urban Policy is to achieve more transparent, equitable, productive, and resilient cities in Niger State, thereby positioning the cities to attain their potentials as engines of economic…

The important role of urban policies for sustainable development has in the recent past gained prominence than ever before. The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015 and the New Urban Agenda (NUA) in 2016 have provided a strong rationale for countries to develop, implement and/or review their National Urban Policy frameworks. The NUA places explicit emphasis on National Urban Policy as one of its five pillars of implementation. Similarly, in 2019, National Urban Policy…

UN-Habitat’s National Urban Policy Programme (NUPP) continues to play a pivotal role in advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development globally through national and subnational urban policies. This 2024 edition of the Korea-funded National Urban Policy Programme (K-NUPP) report presents progress made during year two of the second phase of the programme, with a focus on activities undertaken and results achieved in 2023/2024, while providing a forward-looking view of planned…

The Revised Ghana Housing Profile provides a comprehensive analysis of Ghana's housing sector, addressing critical gaps and identifying opportunities for sustainable growth. This updated document offers actionable insights into affordable housing, urban planning, and policy development, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With a focus on inclusivity and innovation, the profile serves as a vital tool for policymakers, stakeholders, and development partners…