Using the Global Sample of Cities (see Annex) as a statistically representative dataset, the Urban Legislation Unit of UN-Habitat has conducted an objective, evidence-based assessment on the application of physical planning laws. The Global Sample makes it possible for individual values to be assigned to cities after which the variations in these figures can be studied among the world regions, income groups, or population sizes.

The World Urban Forum is the world’s premier conference on urban issues. It was established by the United Nations to examine one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies. The Forum is held in a different host city and country biennially, drawing a wide range of experts from every walk of life.

The goal of these Guiding Principles is to inform pragmatic strategies and propose a Framework for Action to build an enabling environment for more inclusive and functional urban-rural linkages. The principles are flexible and can be applied by all levels of stakeholders at all scales.

While the principles are designed for universal application, there are distinct roles and actions appropriate for national or local governments, civil society, the private sector and international organizations. In addition, they can be applied in varying national contexts; for example, where there is a concern about the rate of urbanization and rural transformation, or the degree of diversity in the population.

The Guiding Principles are to help address the complexity of aligning different levels of governance (national, territorial and local) while recognizing unique local contexts and multiple possibilities for implementation. Urban-rural linkages that advance integrated territorial development are not only about a collection of separate subnational regions, but are also about systems of cities at national and even across national to regional levels.

This Report outlines the key achievements of UN-Habitat in improving social inclusion and fighting climate change, including work on-the-ground,  global campaigns and expert policy guidance.

Rising inequality and environmental degradation can be seen in cities across the world. Addressing these challenges is at the core of the UN-Habitat mandate. The four Cross-Cutting Issues of UN-Habitat - Climate Change, Gender Equality, Human Rights and Youth - are mainstreamed to support country, regional and thematic offices to ensure that all UN-Habitat work is targeting those furthest behind and promoting socially and environmentally sustainable cities. Mainstreaming requires that all work contributes to the larger long-term goals of UN-Habitat, the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Walking and cycling are healthy and pollution-free forms of mobility that are fundamental to life. In African cities, many are dependent on these modes as their primary means of transport. Even for those who choose public transport or personal motor vehicles, walking often becomes the dominant mode for short trips during the day. The poor quality of infrastructure for active modes, however, sends a message that pedestrians and cyclists are not  welcome in the urban environment.

The Country Activities Report 2019 provides an evolving picture of UN-Habitat’s projects and programmes portfolio from 2018 onwards. It opens a window on the most recent activities taking place on the ground. In that connection, its scope is restricted to featuring digestible information on selected ongoing activities supporting an effective and timely delivery on UN-Habitat’s mandate.

The main objective of the present “Country Activities Report (CAR) 2019” is to ensure that member States are adequately informed about UN-Habitat’s projects portfolio and the progress made in implementing our activities at country level in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals. This is pursuant to resolution 5/5 of the Commission on Human Settlements1, which called for an information document highlighting the Agency’s ongoing interventions and providing evidence of achievements so far. Previously known as UN-Habitat’s “Operational Activities Report”, this document has been an integral part of the mandatory documentation prepared by the Secretariat for consideration by the Governing Council since its establishment in 2001.

Land is often a critical aspect of conflict: it may be a root cause or trigger conflicts, or may become an issue as the conflict progresses. Conflicts lead to forced evictions; the people who are displaced by conflict need somewhere to live, often leading to further disputes over the use of land and other resources. This publication shows how addressing land issues can mitigate conflict, facilitate solutions to it, and improve the likelihood that people can return to their homes after the violence is over. It draws on cases in nine countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America with a range of conflict parties: farmers, herders, landlords, villagers, mining companies, host communities, displaced people, gangs, and various levels of government. The cases and analysis describe how various land-related approaches have been used throughout the conflict cycle, from conflict prevention through humanitarian assistance, recovery and development. While each conflict is different, the emphasis is on practical methods that can be adapted to suit the situation.

Access to adequate housing in Mozambique is a considerable challenge, only likely to increase due to the anticipated population growth, particularly in urban centres. While this scenario presents challenges, it is also an opportunity to promote housing along with livelihoods in a resilient manner, aligned with a more sustainable urban development. This holistic view is especially important considering that most houses in Mozambique are built by residents themselves. The Housing Sector Profile provides relevant information to all parties involved in housing delivery in the country, supporting both the supply of adequate housing and the implementation of global and national commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda 2063, the New Urban Agenda, the Government's Five-Year Plan and the National Housing Policy.

An external evaluation of UN-Habitat Trust Fund. A request by  the Governments of Norway, Spain and the Netherlands, in collaboration with UN-Habitat

This work made with the Metropolitan Area of the Valle de Aburra in 2014, highlights its progress in the formulation of guidelines, determinants, and guidelines that have contributed to the construction of an orderly and sustainable Metropolitan Territorial Ordinance Model, but above all aware of the social, economic and environmental reality facing its territory