​​Socially Inclusive National Urban Policies: ​A Guide​

Social inclusion remains a pivotal measure of sustainable urban development. This is because people in cities and communities serve as both givers and takers of various urbanization components and resulting impacts. On the one hand, effective integration of all urban and community residents through meaningful participation, capacity building, and demonstration projects leads to realization of seamless urbanization policy processes. 

On the other hand, the results through improved quality of life from aspects like spatial equity, improved provision of urban basic services, affordable and inclusive housing, and fairer employment opportunities all contribute to the realization of inclusive, sustainable and resilient cities and communities. This guide has been developed with an objective to support national and local governments and other actors to mainstream social inclusion as a fabric of their respective national and sub-national urban policies thus subsequently contribute to global development agendas.  

First, the guide analyzes the various aspects of social inclusion, highlighting cases studies on how countries across the globe have integrated these aspects into their urban development process. Further, it proposes means through which countries can mainstream social inclusion in the NUP phases (feasibility, diagnosis, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) and pillars (participation, capacity building, acupuncture projects) using examples from countries that have integrated social inclusion aspects in their various NUP stages. It finally recommends a summary through a ten-step pathway to achieve an inclusive urbanization process.  

In the spirit of ‘Leaving No One Behind’, this guide envisions that national and local government officials, urban experts, academia, civil society, researchers and community at the grassroots will enhance inclusive urban policy processes. Through this guiding framework, cities and communities can achieve effective, inclusive, and sustainable urbanization outcomes.