Investment in innovation and infrastructure are key to making cities safe, resilient, inclusive and sustainable. Half the world's population now live in cities, and this is projected to increase to two-thirds by 2050.
Cities can solve many of the challenges our world faces. Innovation is a crucial driver of economic growth, social development and environmental change. As a centre of excellence and innovation, UN-Habitat supports countries and cities in taking advantage of the opportunities urbanization offers to finding lasting solutions to both economic and environmental challenges, such as providing housing, new jobs and promoting energy efficiency.
"Understanding global mega-trends is crucial. We live in times of multiple, evolving and mutually-reinforcing shifts. These dynamics, of geopolitical, demographic, climatic, technological, social and economic nature, enhance threats and opportunities on an unprecedented scale."
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
Partnerships for innovation
UN-Habitat shares the vision to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Increasing international cooperation is vital to achieving this. As a centre of excellence and innovation, UN-Habitat supports countries and cities in taking advantage of the opportunities urbanization offers. Investment in innovative and scalable urban solutions can address many of the challenges our cities face.
UN-Habitat partners with a range of organizations, such as governments, NGO's, businesses and other UN agencies, to implement projects that provide achievable, customizable and scalable solutions to the toughest urbanization problems. UN-Habitat works to ensure cities become inclusive and affordable drivers of economic growth, social development and environmental change.
Urban Solutions Expo - Exhibitor Story submitted by Homebiogas
Urban Solutions Expo - Exhibitor Story submitted by Tridealhouse
News and Stories
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Interactive online course for all on New Urban Agenda launched
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UN-Habitat and the German Government announced the establishment of the first UN Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities in Hamburg
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UN-Habitat and UNHCR launch a Settlement Profiling Tool to support infrastructure prioritization for the displaced
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Local tax payments in Somaliland and Puntland soar due to mobile phone payments
Press Releases
Digital Technologies and the COVID-19 Pandemic #BeyondTheOutbreak
United Nations System-wide Guidelines on Safer Cities and Human Settlements
Providing local governments with a standard in responding, in collaboration with national and subnational governments, to the challenges of delivering urban safety and security in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda.
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Promoting Synergy Between Cities and Airports for Sustainable Development
This report is a product of a pilot joint study investigating the synergies between aviation and urbanisation in Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa
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United Nations System-wide Guidelines on Safer Cities and Human Settlements
Providing local governments with a standard in responding, in collaboration with national and subnational governments, to the challenges of delivering urban safety and security in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda.
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The Housing Rights Index. A policy Formulation Support Tool
The Housing Rights Index is developed to support training and capacity building activities and is intended for the use of policy makers and urban practitioners to be able to analyse the realisation of the right to adequate housing adequacy in their city. This guide is accompanied by an excel…
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The Housing Rights Index. A policy Formulation Support Tool
The Housing Rights Index is developed to support training and capacity building activities and is intended for the use of policy makers and urban practitioners to be able to analyse the realisation of the right to adequate housing adequacy in their city. This guide is accompanied by an excel…
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Discussion Paper – July, 2018: Urban Economy & Municipal Finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Evidence from Buraydah and Dammam
The geographic, cultural, social, demographic and economic advantages of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have made KSA a key international player and economic world power. Historically, oil and gas have been the country’s primary exports, but KSA has begun investing in other strategic sectors of…
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