Produced jointly by UN-Habitat and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Regional Programme Economy Africa, the publication explores the role of urban law in supporting climate-resilient and low-carbon development. Through comparative case studies, it identifies legal and institutional approaches that strengthen nationally determined contributions, urban planning, governance, transport, housing, building standards and financing, offering practical lessons for scaling climate action and advancing…

Two factsheets on the on the HLP Rights in Gaza Strip affected by 2023 War, and two advocacy briefs on displacement crisis in Gaza Strip and West Bank.

​​This report is jointly prepared by Wuhan Planning& Design Institute (WPDI) and the United NationsHuman Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) which presents an in-depth study on the governance conditions and transformative pathways of informal settlements in Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia. Against the backdrop of accelerating global urbanization and the severe slum problem, the crisis surrounding informal settlements has grown increasingly acute across Southeast Asia. As a key economic…

This publication, prepared by UN-Habitat in collaboration with Fordham University Urban Law Center, US, supports Costa Rica in developing an adaptation construction code while offering insights for policymakers, legislators, urban planners, practitioners, researchers, and development partners working to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks for climate-resilient urban development. Drawing on comparative case studies from twelve countries across Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia,…

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…