As global urbanization accelerates, cities are increasingly on the front lines of humanitarian crises and post-conflict recovery, while bearing a growing responsibility to uphold the right to adequate housing. Conflict is now predominantly unfolding in urban settings, as seen in recent crises in Palestine, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen, where widespread housing destruction and mass displacement have placed large civilian populations at risk of losing their homes, land, and tenure security. Many of…

Natural disasters and extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity globally. Local governments, including intermediary cities, are on the frontline of disaster risk management. Increasing their resilience is critical to protect lives and support economic development. This is particularly true in developing countries where local governments, especially in intermediary cities, lack financing and management capacities to prevent, react and rebuild in an inclusive and…

Transforming agro-food to advance food security while promoting sustainable industrialisation in developing countries is an urgent priority. Intermediary cities, as vital connectors between urban and rural areas, are piloting innovative solutions to drive this transformation through food-tech. This policy brief examines how innovation ecosystems in intermediary cities can contribute to achieving net-zero emissions and zero hunger and presents key recommendations for development policy. It has…

Cities remain central to the climate agenda: they concentrate rising risks, trillions in exposed assets and most future growth. The third round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) shows a historic jump in how countries are internalizing this urban reality into their national contributions toward global efforts for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

​​This assessment pilots the National Circularity Assessment Framework for Buildings in Senegal, establishing a baseline for circularity in the buildings and construction sector. It maps material flows, environmental footprint, and socio-economic impacts, and sets out recommendations to accelerate the country’s circular transition.​