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…

The report “Land Governance in the Middle East: Regional Perspectives for Improved Land Administration and Access to Housing” was developed by UN Habitat and the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN), in partnership with the Urban Training and Studies Institute (UTI) and with financial support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of the Federal Republic of Germany, to respond to the growing recognition that land governance is central to sustainable development,…

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…

The GWOPA Annual Report 2025 presents the Alliance’s work to strengthen water and sanitation operators through solidarity-based, peer-to-peer cooperation. The report highlights how Water Operators’ Partnerships are helping utilities address operational challenges, improve service delivery and contribute to more inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities. The report captures a year of major milestones, including the continued implementation of Water Operators’ Partnerships across regions, the…

The Arab region faces multiple converging challenges including rapid urbanization, water scarcity, environmental degradation and, in some contexts, conflict and displacement. Additionally, the increasing risks of climate change impacts, coupled with these interconnected issues, place mounting pressure on already strained urban systems and natural resources. In this context, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a promising pathway to address these challenges. By harnessing ecosystems to enhance…

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.

Global Outlook on Water and Sanitation Service Providers: Water for Sustainable Cities is the first global assessment to place utilities at the centre of sustainable urban development. Produced by GWOPA/UN-Habitat with IRC, it presents new data, identifies key gaps and outlines seven pathways to stronger, more resilient and inclusive water and sanitation services.

​​Originally established in 2011 following the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, the Shanghai Manual serves as a practical guide for mayors and urban practitioners advancing sustainable urban development. The Manual has been shaped by the principles of both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda, positioning it as a key resource in the global ambition of achieving sustainable cities. 

​As digitalisation rapidly reshapes urban life across health, education,…