UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)

Housing is finally on top of the European Union agenda. 🏘️ UN-Habitat, the United Nations agency responsible for cities and human settlements and adequate housing, congratulates @Ursula von der Leyen on the re-election as European Commission President and welcomes her promise to appoint the first-ever Commissioner with direct responsibility for housing and to develop a European Affordable Housing Plan. 🏘️Housing has been our collective failure over the past decades. It's time to act and make sure people have access to affordable and adequate homes. UN-Habitat has prioritized housing as mandated by the resolution of the second United Nations Habitat Assembly in June 2023, #UNHA2. We will convene an expert group on housing to start developing recommendations and collecting best housing practices. Look forward to collaborating with the European Commission on #housing matters. https://loom.ly/i98Mt3c

"To create a lasting urban transformation, we must bridge the gap between top-down investments and bottom-up community needs. Only by aligning investment with what really matters to people can we achieve meaningful, sustainable impact." Norah Alyusuf, Chief International Affairs Officer, Quality of Life Program Center at the event on Financing Strategies for SDGs Localization. Addressing these needs requires a holistic approach that integrates local perspectives into national and international strategies.The event delved into strategies for city governments to support SDGs localization. #HLPF2024 QualityofLife Initiative

Which cities have the best sustainable transport options? 🚲 Thanks to the first annual Atlas of Sustainable City Transport, we can now see which cities are making remarkable progress in car-free transportation options. According to the Atlas, Poland’s third-largest city boasts one of the most accessible transit systems in the world, despite its lack of a subway system. Wroclaw relies on an extensive tram and bus network that crisscrosses the city, placing it near the top of a new ranking for transit sustainability and inclusivity. From frequent trains and buses to extensive bike lanes, the Atlas shines a spotlight on cities that are championing safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all and provides benchmarks and accountability metrics for policymakers, planners, citizens and other change-makers. (Source: Institute for Transportation and Development Policy; https://atlas.itdp.org)

📣Italy and UN-Habitat are consolidating their strategic partnership to foster #SDG localization, multilevel governance and policy coherence for sustainable development. The signining of a Memorandum of Understanding is the result of years of joint work and an outcome of the Climate, Energy, and Environment Ministers’ Meeting Communiqué of the G7. ✍️ Read more: https://loom.ly/zuA0ehA The partners will launch the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs: a joint global initiative aimed at supporting partner countries in building #SDG localizing frameworks and accompanying cities to deliver coherant and inclusive development. 📍A co-creation workshop of the Partnership Platform took place last week on the sidelines of #HLPF2024 as the initiative aims to be a space for all interested partners to join the global effort to advance localization. Mark your agenda for the official launch of the initiative at #WUF12! Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica Michal Mlynár Shipra Narang Suri Martino Miraglia Mara Cossu

City climate finance is not enough. In 2017-2018, #climate finance for cities reached an estimated USD 384 billion, less than 10 per cent of the estimated need of USD 4.5 to 5.4 trillion annually. This significant shortfall highlights the urgent need for increased investment in urban climate initiatives. Without adequate funding, cities will struggle to implement the necessary projects and policies to combat #climatechange and build resilient, sustainable communities. We need to and mobilize substantial resources to bridge this gap, ensuring that cities worldwide have the means to address the pressing climate challenges they face. Together, we can create a future where our cities are equipped to thrive in the face of a changing climate. #HLPF2024 #LocalAction

As we head towards the end of #HLPF2024, we have had an incredible lineup of events dedicated to advancing sustainable urban development and achieving the SDGs. 🚀 Keeping the SDG Promise: Pathways for Acceleration We explored actionable strategies to fast-track SDG implementation. Experts highlighted the importance of inclusive policies, technological innovation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. 🏙️ Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) - Voluntary Subnational Reviews (VSRs) Days The presentations showcased how VLRs and VSRs are vital tools for tracking progress, fostering accountability, and engaging communities in sustainable development efforts. 💰 Finance for Social Impact: Financing Strategies for SDGs Localization Innovative financing mechanisms took center stage as we discussed ways to mobilize resources for local SDG initiatives. Panelists emphasized the role of blended finance, public-private partnerships, and community-based funding models in driving impactful change at the local level. 🏢 UN-Habitat's Corporate Event at HLPF Our corporate event brought together leaders from various sectors to discuss the future of sustainable urban development. The event focused on fostering partnerships between governments, private sector entities, and civil society to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. #LocalAction #Action4Urban

What would happen if we built our communities around places? 📍🗺️ Placemaking can help transform public spaces, inspiring people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of every community. But what is placemaking? Placemaking means “strengthening the connection between people and the places they share" and refers to a collaborative process by which we can shape our public realm to maximize shared value. It's much more than just promoting better urban design. Placemaking facilitates creative patterns of use, paying particular attention to the physical, cultural, and social identities that define a place and support its ongoing evolution. In short, by designing cities for people and prioritising our public spaces, placemaking can have the most transformative impact on our cities, including equity and inclusion, sustainability and resilience and health. (Source: Project for Public Spaces; https://loom.ly/dVEXRC8; Picture credit: European Prize for Urban Public Space)

🌍The growing urban inequalities pose a significant threat to human rights and the achievement of the #SDGs. Amidst rapid urban expansion, climate crisis, and conflict, there's an urgent need to mobilize financial resources for urban populations. 🚀 With the pressing challenges of urban expansion, #climate crisis, and conflict, it's crucial to enhance access to funding and affordable finance for local services. This event will delve into strategies for city governments to support social value creation. External finance is essential, but a narrow focus on financial gains can lead to unsustainable arrangements. Join us for a session on Finance for Social Impact: Financing Strategies for SDGs Localization at #HLPF2024. Tune in online: https://loom.ly/36Jfk0I

Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) are assessments conducted by #cities and local governments to review progress towards the SDGs. The past years of experience have demonstrated how VLRs have been stimulating and driving local action to implement the #SDGs. The VLR process strengthens coordination, accountability, transparency, participation and awareness of the Goals, significantly contributing to boost local efforts to solve urgent local issues, create partnerships, and advance priorities related to equity and #sustainability. Learn more about VLRs⬇️

Are city-wide speed limits really that effective? 🚗 Results from a recent study looking at 40 different cities across Europe, including Brussels, Paris, and Zurich, indicated that reductions in speed limits led to reductions in road crashes, fatalities, and injuries, emissions and noise pollution. Overall, reducing speed limits in cities can transform urban life, from improving safety to a safer and environmentally sustainable urban environment. Read more: https://loom.ly/Htda8Ws (Source: Review of City-Wide 30 km/h Speed Limit Benefits in Europe) #SustainableCities