This publication examines how rapid urbanization and the increasing concentration of conflict in urban areas are placing housing, land, and property rights under growing pressure. It explores how widespread destruction, displacement, and pre-existing tenure insecurity complicate safe return, restitution, and the resolution of housing, land, and property (HLP) disputes. As part of the Urban Law and Conflict Series, the publication demonstrates the critical role of urban law and policy in…

​​This publication assesses Africa’s progress in implementing the New Urban Agenda between 2022 and 2026. It highlights advances in urban governance, planning, climate resilience, digital innovation, and local economic development, while examining persistent challenges including housing deficits, urban poverty, informality, infrastructure financing gaps, and unequal access to services.

Housing is fundamental to achieving SDG 11’s vision of inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. Yet, despite this central role, the interlinkages between adequate housing and progress across the ten targets of Goal 11 have received limited systematic attention.

As rapid urbanization blurs the lines between the urban and the rural, the Beyond the City: Global Trends and Insights on Urban-Rural Linkages report challenges the traditional development dichotomy, arguing that sustainable prosperity depends on the health of the entire territory. By exploring the critical interconnections between urban and rural areas, it analyzes how these linkages are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda (NUA). Drawing on…

The 2025 Annual Report of the Policy and Legislation Section (PLS) presents a year of steady progress in advancing sustainable urban development. Through diverse initiatives and collaborative partnerships with donors, development partners, and countries, UN-Habitat through PLS has continued to strengthen policy, legislative, and governance frameworks at national and subnational levels. The report also identifies emerging priorities that will guide the Section’s work in 2026, supporting global…

National Urban Policies (NUPs) serves as a key guiding frameworks towards the realization of the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Urbanization. The Korea-funded National Urban Policy Programme contributes to this by not only supporting countries in developing and implementing NUPs but also strengthening the capacity of relevant stakeholders. The 2024-2025 Annual Report shows the progress of the programme implementation at global and local scale among the eight participating countries of Phase 2…

​​Rapid Municipal Assessment of conflict-affected areas in Lebanon, presenting key findings on service delivery, infrastructure damage, and municipal capacities to support evidence-based recovery and humanitarian planning.​

​​Can mega-events create lasting urban value beyond the global spotlight? This white paper explores how mega events like World Expos, Olympic Games, and FIFA World Cups can become catalysts for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities through legacy-driven planning, adaptive design, and community-centered urban transformation.​

This report examines how drought, climate change, and displacement intersect to shape urban water insecurity in Dahiyyat Al-Malik Abdullah, Mafraq. Through a multi-scalar analysis, it highlights infrastructure pressures, governance gaps, and the lived experiences of refugee and host communities, offering evidence-based recommendations for more inclusive and climate-resilient urban water responses.