Public spaces to play are important to children's health and development and are a core right. Yet with increasing urbanization, access to public spaces to play is shrinking, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This guide, developed by UN-Habitat, WHO and UNICEF, highlights the importance of public spaces for optimizing children's health and well-being, and realizing their comprehensive rights. It provides support for practitioners in developing and improving public…

Public spaces are vital for the dynamic social, environmental and health need functions as part of public life of diverse user groups, as they provide areas for social encounter, civic and political engagement, recreation (including work, play and study), shelter needs and other forms of community engagement. This publication has examined the crucial role that legislation, governance, and financial frameworks play as critical aspects of public space management and development. It has provided a…

Evictions remove people from their homes, sometimes legally if in the public interest and with no alternatives. Forced evictions violate human rights. Authorities must justify evictions, consult affected communities, provide notice, and offer compensation. Evictions must be safe, with no unnecessary force. Afghanistan’s legal protections exist but remain uncertain post-2021, making advocacy crucial to prevent forced evictions.

This brief provides information on legal documents associated with land ownership, land lease/rent, and land occupancy in reference to relevant Afghan laws. It is intended to provide guidance on land and property rights in relation to IDPs, returnees and other tenure insecure groups. This guidance note is not a legal document, but provides information and analysis from the Housing, Land and Property Task Force (HLPTF). The HLPTF is a sub cluster of the Protection Cluster, and part of…

This report introduces Smart-Inclusive Transition (SIT) as a key driver for building more equitable urban futures by integrating smart technology with inclusive practice. The SIT Analysis is designed to help cities uncover their unique opportunities for SIT by leveraging urban SDGs data and indicators from the Global Urban Monitoring Framework. This approach will create an opportunity for cities worldwide to shape urban spaces that are genuinely designed by, for, and of all citizens.

The report provides groundbreaking insights into the current state of smart city developments globally. By analyzing trends, challenges and opportunities, it offers a robust evidence base to foster inclusive, sustainable and people-centred smart cities. With recommendations for policymakers and other actors, it serves as a global reference for advancing digital transformation and innovation in urban areas while addressing regional disparities and digital divides.

This publication presents findings from a European Union and UN-Habitat commissioned Political Economy Analysis (PEA) on factors that influence policy, government institutions, and local communities in the context of displacement and rapid urbanisation in Burco, Jowhar, and Afgoye.

World Cities Report 2024: Cities and Climate Action

This edition of the World Cities Report provides a wide and far-reaching analysis of the current and expected climate impacts on different regions and cities, as well as the differing vulnerabilities urban populations face due to factors such as poverty, inequality, ethnicity, gender, disability and other characteristics. Notwithstanding the acute financial and institutional shortfalls many face, the Report shows that cities are…

The Public Space Policy for local government units is the first document of its kind at the national level in Palestine to guide the creation of safe and inclusive public spaces for all community groups, with consideration for gender sensitive planning principles. This policy focuses on four main pillars of public spaces. The preparation of this policy is the result of a participatory approach in partnership with various governmental and non-governmental institutions that influence the…