UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)

The World Smart Cities Outlook is a vital report in global urban innovation research, developed by UN-Habitat, in collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University. The Outlook offers an evidence-based assessment of people-centred smart city development worldwide, providing: 🔹 A comprehensive framework for guiding urban digital transformation 🔹 Insights into regional trends, challenges, and future opportunities 🔹 Key performance indicators for successful implementation 🔹 Real-world data and case studies showcasing impact With a strong focus on sustainability, resilience, social inclusion, and governance, the report aims to support policymakers, city leaders, and urban practitioners in shaping smarter, more inclusive cities. 🔍 Why does this matter? The findings lay the foundation for international guidelines on people-centred smart cities, fostering a global movement towards smarter urban development. Dowload the report here: https://loom.ly/e30Rk4E.

If women designed cities, how different would they be? Most cities today aren't "neutral" - they were designed by men, for men - prioritizing cars, industrial growth, and efficiency. But what if women were in charge of urban planning? Recent studies and books* show that the result would be safer, more walkable, and community-focused cities built for everyone. Did you know that women are 50% more likely to rely on public transportation, yet most transit systems weren’t built with them in mind? We’d likely see safer, greener, and more inclusive spaces - designed to support everyday life, not just the daily commute. Here’s how things might change with a woman-led urban design approach: ✨ 1. Safer Public Spaces & Walkability - Well-lit streets, parks, and transit stops to reduce safety concerns. - More mixed-use, safer developments to ensure there are always “eyes on the street.” - Pedestrian-friendly design with wider sidewalks and safer crosswalks. 🚉 2. Better Public Transport & Accessibility - More reliable, affordable, and flexible transit options. - Safer bus and train stations with better lighting and emergency features. - More public toilets - because access to toilets shouldn’t be a luxury. 👩👧 3. Family-Friendly & Inclusive Spaces - More childcare facilities near workplaces and transit hubs. - Dedicated breastfeeding rooms and baby-changing stations in public areas. - Safer, better-maintained parks and playgrounds for families. 🏡 4. Affordable & Thoughtful Housing - More secure, community-oriented housing for women, single parents, and vulnerable populations. - Designs that prioritize safety - secure entrances, better lighting, and communal living spaces. 🌍 5. Sustainable & Green Infrastructure - Less car dependency, with better cycling and walking infrastructure. - More green spaces, urban gardens, and climate-conscious planning. - Support for eco-friendly policies - because cities should work with the environment, not against it. 💡 6. More Women in Urban Planning - Representation matters: More female-led city planning teams would bring diverse perspectives to the table. - Policies that support work-life balance, like flexible workspaces and community-led initiatives. 🚀 A city designed by women isn’t just for women - it’s for everyone. A city built with safety, accessibility, and sustainability in mind benefits men, children, the elderly, and marginalized communities too. Imagine a world where cities truly prioritize people over cars, where public spaces feel welcoming instead of intimidating, and where daily life is made easier - not harder. Sources: - "What if Women Designed the City", Dr May East - "Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men", Caroline Criado Perez

Two years ago, on 6 February 2023, a devastating earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria, with widespread impacts across the broader region. In Türkiye, 50,000 lives were lost, while in Syria, more than 5,000 people perished. Over 15 million people were affected, underscoring the immense and far-reaching consequences of such disasters. This tragedy highlighted both the vulnerability of communities to natural hazards and the critical need for international cooperation in disaster response and preparedness. Over the last two years, UN-Habitat, with support from the Government of Japan, has been working to strengthen urban community-based resilience in Syria. Efforts have focused on enhancing disaster preparedness and response through collaboration with local governments and partners. In urban areas, significant progress has been made in emergency response and long-term recovery. In cities such as Aleppo and Homs, extensive efforts have been undertaken to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure, restore essential services, and improve disaster risk reduction measures. As we remember those affected, we also recognize the resilience and solidarity that emerged in the aftermath. The lessons learned from this tragedy continue to shape strategies for disaster risk reduction, reinforcing the need for preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and global cooperation.

The world generates 2.1–2.3 billion tonnes of waste annually, and waste management systems are struggling to keep up. Among the most pressing challenges is fashion and textile waste, which has grown at an alarming rate. The impact is staggering: 🔴 92 million tonnes of textiles are discarded each year—one garbage truck of clothes is incinerated or landfilled every second. 🔴 Discarded clothing often ends up in the Global South, causing pollution, health risks, and social inequalities. For the first time, the International Day of Zero Waste will spotlight a specific sector: textile and fashion waste. The circular economy offers transformative solutions by shifting from a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model to a regenerative system that prioritizes repair, reuse, and rethinking waste. By embracing these principles, we can extend the lifespan of products, reduce resource consumption, and minimize environmental impact. 📌 Save the date! Join us on 30th March as we work towards a #ZeroWaste future. https://loom.ly/bj_XQXc #CircularEconomy #SustainableFashion #ZeroWasteDay

As the world faces an escalating housing crisis, what bold actions and reforms are needed to ensure access to sustainable and affordable housing? UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach shared her views on addressing the global housing crisis at Penn Institute for Urban Research expert voices 2025. One key solution: reforming development control policies to unlock land and increase affordable housing supply. Here's why this matters for cities worldwide ▶️ https://bit.ly/4hoo7Ee

🏡 "Housing is a fundamental right, and ensuring its realization requires global collaboration and commitment." Diana Angela Wachira, Learning Officer at Habitat International Coalition, emphasizes the importance of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group in creating an inclusive and collaborative space where member states and key stakeholders, including civil society, can accelerate progress toward adequate housing for all. The working group on housing rights has the potential to redefine how cities and countries develop housing policies, ensuring that marginalized communities are actively involved in decision-making and have access to adequate housing solutions.

This week, I was honored to attend the Urban, Resilience and Land Forum: Livable Cities for a Livable Planet at the invitation of The World Bank in Washington, D.C. The global housing crisis affects 2.8 billion people, including 1.1 billion living in informal settlements with limited access to basic services and 300 million experiencing homelessness. To address this urgent challenge, UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) Strategic Plan 2026-2029 focuses on adequate housing, land, and basic services. The plan is guided by three key impact areas: ✅ Equitable prosperity and poverty eradication ✅ Environment and climate action ✅ Crisis prevention and reconstruction The forum provided a strategic opportunity to explore synergies between institutions—ranging from local to global—and address challenges at different scales. One example of our local partnerships is in Kenya, where we collaborate on data collection, including Urban Inequities Surveys (UIS). This enables us to expand our efforts in supporting refugees and displaced populations by strengthening capacities and systems, ultimately improving their living conditions. At the global level, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4)—taking place from 30 June to 3 July in Seville, Spain—presents a unique opportunity to reform financing at all levels, including efforts to reshape the international financial architecture. UN-Habitat aims to launch efforts to establish a reliable investment framework, leading to increased private sector engagement, expanded municipal revenue sources, and strengthened governance, legislation, and service delivery. It was also a pleasure to reconnect with Mr Ming Zhang, Guangzhe Chen, Ajay Banga and the wonderful team from the World Bank. Thank you for your continuous support and for this opportunity to reinforce our long-standing partnership.

Every year, 92 million tons of textile waste are discarded, polluting our environment and straining resources. UN-Habitat is calling for expressions of interest to host the global observance of World Cleanup Day 2025, dedicated to tackling fashion and textile waste. 📍 Why host? ✅ Showcase your country’s leadership in sustainable fashion solutions ✅ Inspire global action for circular economy practices ✅ Strengthen international collaboration in waste management Join the movement and drive real change in the future of sustainable fashion. 📩 Submit your expression of interest to host World Cleanup Day 2025 by 31 March 2025 ➡️ https://loom.ly/gQFwrdM

🏡 How Can We Ensure Access to Affordable Housing? Top experts share their thoughts on how to tackle urban challenges and the global housing crisis. Anacláudia Rossbach, the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, contributes to this year's "Expert Voices" Penn Institute for Urban Research. Read all the insights on how to effectively address the housing crisis: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ghKuCGU5 #AffordableHousing #UrbanPolicy #HousingFinance #Sustainability #ExpertVoices #PennIUR

Last week we wrapped up an insightful regional validation meeting in Bratislava, we leave with a rich set of ideas and valuable feedback key to shaping the next steps in this journey. Among the key insights: ✅ Empowering local and regional governments as actors across the principles. ✅ Strengthen the urban planning dimension for long-term impact. ✅ Explore alternative financing models, including open-source solutions and replicable approaches. ✅ Promote evidence-based policymaking, ensuring that cities rely on data and research to inform decisions. ✅ Fostering cross-sector collaboration—bringing together governments, private sector, and academia for inclusive innovation. ✅ Leveraging international networks to scale impact and share and replicate best practices. This consultation marks the beginning of meaningful action, laying a solid foundation for progress.The experiences and insights shared here will shape the next phase of implementation, ensuring the guidelines remain relevant, adaptable, and impactful.