UN-Habitat, in collaboration with the Urban Development Agency under the Ministry of Construction, conducted a rapid assessment of Vietnam’s legal framework for urban development as part of the Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building project. The legislative analysis focussed on planning, housing, land, and local governance which identified key gaps, overlaps, and areas for reform. The assessment offers actionable recommendations to support the drafting of a new Urban Development and…

As part of the Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building project in Vietnam, UN-Habitat conducted a benchmarking legal case study including a comparative analysis from 11 countries (Australia, Brazil, Chile, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, South Korea, and the United Kingdom) to inform Vietnam’s Urban Development and Management Law. The study highlights global inspiring practices across seven themes, including land-value capture, public participation, climate…

The WUF12 Report provides an overview of the programme, participation and strategic highlights from the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum, held in Cairo, Egypt. It showcases the sustainability, inclusivity and diversity of the Forum, reflecting the collective efforts to advance sustainable urban development and implement the New Urban Agenda.

Building upon a successful 2023, the 2024 Annual Report of the Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS) showcases continued progress towards achieving sustainable urban development. Through a range of impactful activities, PLGS strengthened its collaboration with donors, development partners, and beneficiary countries, advancing UN-Habitat work on policy, legislation, governance, metropolitan management, and urban-rural linkages.
This report highlights key achievements,…

This publication by UN-Habitat provides a comprehensive framework for addressing urban internal displacement. It offers strategic guidance for governments, UN agencies, and partners to develop sustainable, scalable, and transformative solutions, focusing on housing, land, and basic services to support displaced communities in urban areas.

Building on the work of Challenge Works and UN-Habitat, this publication guides local government leaders and innovators on how to apply challenge-driven innovation methods in cities. It offers a step-by-step process and provides real-world examples, useful tips and relevant resources that tackle real challenges identified in cities and communities through innovation.

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 report captures the catalytic insights and recommendations emerging from the 2024 Innovate4Cities Conference (I4C24). Co-hosted by the Global Covenant of Mayors and UN-Habitat in Montréal, Canada, the conference convened nearly 2,000 participants across 226 sessions, representing urban practitioners, researchers, business leaders, and civil society.