Adequate housing is a right of every person — regardless of age, gender, race or income level — and is the foundation for all human development, well-being and survival, as recognized by Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or UDHR.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 created a temporary crisis of confidence in the future of cities. However, a broad consensus is that urbanization remains a powerful twenty-first century mega-trend; and that well-planned towns and cities remain central to the sustainable development trajectory. There is a sense of optimism that the crisis may provide us with the opportunity to build back differently, more inclusively, greener and safer. 

This is the second Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS) Annual report on the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2020-2025, reporting progress and achievements for the year 2021. This report demonstrates the Section’s catalytic role in implementing initiatives to contribute to UN-Habitat’s mandate as well as the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda.

Her City supports urban development from a girl’s perspective. It guides urban actors to implement projects through a step-by-step methodology providing an open and digitally accessible platform for all.

UN-Habitat’s Catalogue of Services provides the current range of ways in which the organization can support national and local governments, partners and stakeholders to address their development challenges and advance sustainable and inclusive urban development using its services, expertise and tools.

The Plan Assessment Tool helps assess the various sectoral aspects as well as the proposed strategies within city-wide plans, especially in small to medium-sized cities where a single document can cover all topics as well as geographic areas.

Transport electrification can simultaneously contribute to sustainable urban mobility by enhancing vehicle energy efficiency and supporting the shift towards public transport and active mobility. Electric mobility expands the mobility options in our cities, with a range of lightweight, new electric vehicles including electric bicycles and kick e-scooters which can act as a catalyst for behavioural change.