As the world continues to urbanize, cities face greater challenges in responding to humanitarian crises and achieving sustainable post-conflict development that upholds everyone’s right to adequate housing. The impacts of conflict are increasingly being experienced in urban areas around the world – as seen in modern crises such as those in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, Yemen and Syria – putting the housing, land and property (HLP) rights of civilians at risk. HLP issues arise in conflict contexts,…

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.

The Shanghai Manual 2024 Annual Report showcases globally implemented urban best practices that present urban actors with innovative solutions to help cities navigate the complex challenges that they face today. Following the theme of ‘youth leading climate and local action for cities’, the report explores the potential of young people as urban change makers with a particular regard to climate action and urban environmental sustainability.

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.

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.

The Global Assessment draws attention to the significant increase in the adoption of AI technologies by cities worldwide, highlighting the critical role of governance, structure, practices, and culture. The rapid and widespread adoption of AI across the world requires a consolidated governance of AI, based on international cooperation at a global level, and derived from the experiences of people living in cities, at the local level.

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…

The TP4D group has published a new White Paper for Policy Formulation and Project Implementation on territorial approaches for sustainable development. Released by a group of Platform members and partners, this is an update to the TP4D White Paper of 2018, incorporating lessons learned. The new White Paper is aimed at policymakers, donors, and practitioners by offering recommendations for policy formulation, project design, and governance.

The Annual Report 2023 of the Policy, Legislation and Governance Section of UN-Habitat showcases the work done in the past year to work towards and support the achievement of the main goal of sustainable urban development.

Much has been achieved by PLGS: more than 44 activities in over 37 countries globally, that consolidated collaboration with donors, development partners and beneficiary countries along the themes of policy, legislation and governance, metropolitan management,…