This report summarizes a pivotal knowledge-sharing event, focused on Korea National Urban Policy Programme and its impact on people-centered smart cities, held in Cairo, Egypt, during the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12). This event was a key activity within the Korea National Urban Policy Programme (K-NUPP), highlighting the crucial intersection of people-centered smart cities and their effective integration into National Urban Policies (NUPs). This focus aligns perfectly with…

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.

Many development practitioners have, until recently, viewed urban and rural areas as two mutually exclusive territories. However, this does not reflect the realities of the spatial and sectoral linkages between urban and rural areas. The two territories are two ends of a continuum of human settlements which are spatially and functionally interconnected and interdependent through physical, social, economic and environmental linkages that are continuously changing in time and space. During the…

Globally, urbanization has increased significantly, with the world’s urban population expected to reach 68.5% by 2045. Although urbanization brings economic opportunities and improved living conditions, if not well managed, it can also present urban and social challenges such as slums, poverty, and environmental degradation. While many countries around the world have formulated National Urban Policy (NUP) to manage their urbanization, associated implementation challenges such as institutional…

More people live in cities than ever before. The urban population more than doubled from 1.5 billion in 1975 to 3.5 billion in 2015 and is estimated to reach more than 50% by 2050. This affirms the role of cities in sustainable development and the importance of National Urban Policies in as coordinating frameworks, to manage the urbanization process in an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable way. National governments are encouraged to develop and implement New Generation Urban Policies (NUPs…

As part of the commitment of the Niger State Government (Nigeria) in creating compact, connected, socially inclusive and self-sustaining towns and cities in the State, the State Government has developed her Urban Development Policy with technical assistance from UN-Habitat. The overall goal of the Niger State Urban Policy is to achieve more transparent, equitable, productive, and resilient cities in Niger State, thereby positioning the cities to attain their potentials as engines of economic…

The important role of urban policies for sustainable development has in the recent past gained prominence than ever before. The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015 and the New Urban Agenda (NUA) in 2016 have provided a strong rationale for countries to develop, implement and/or review their National Urban Policy frameworks. The NUA places explicit emphasis on National Urban Policy as one of its five pillars of implementation. Similarly, in 2019, National Urban Policy…

The Revised Ghana Housing Profile provides a comprehensive analysis of Ghana's housing sector, addressing critical gaps and identifying opportunities for sustainable growth. This updated document offers actionable insights into affordable housing, urban planning, and policy development, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With a focus on inclusivity and innovation, the profile serves as a vital tool for policymakers, stakeholders, and development partners…

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.