Lifelong Learning and Participatory Governance: The Learning City Initiative
Cities have immense potential to foster capacities for lifelong learning, argues Raúl Valdés-Cotera from the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.
Urban & Metropolitan Governance
Urban Safety and Good Urban Governance: Examples from Kinshasa
"Kulunas" – youth gangs – have been part of Kinshasa's neighbourhoods for two decades. Marc-André Lagrange and Thierry Vircoulon analyse their origins and why their ever more violent repression is not going to increase safety in Kinshasa.
Infrastructure Transparency in Metropolitan Kampala
Efforts for infrastructure development will be in vain if the public is not involved in the process. Olive Kabatwairwe with meaningful insights and best practices from Uganda.
Transparent and Accountable: Ukrainian Cities Fight for Openness
Local authorities often perceive publishing information about their activities as a tedious responsibility. But Ukrainian cities prove that digital openness is a chance for rising investments, growth of trust, and increased human resources. By Olena Ogorodnik from Transparency International Ukraine
The Challenge of Localising SDGs: Experiences from Bangladesh
Translating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into practice at the local level remains a significant challenge for many countries. Dr Firdaus Ara Hussain and Redita Rokib on the challenges in Bangladesh – and on a promising model pursued by the Government of Bangladesh to overcome them.
Positioning Medellín for a more Sustainable Future
Many transitional cities have worked hard to develop planning tools that make a difference in people’s lives. And while Colombia’s “City of Eternal Spring”, Medellín, has made significant progress, it should now take it to the next level to become fully compatible with global sustainability agendas. By Santiago Mejía-Dugand
Localising the SDGs: A Call for Urban Equality as a Guiding Principle
Localising the global Sustainable Development Goals presents key challenges to policymakers everywhere. An ‘Urban Equality lens’ however, may help navigate some of the tensions, contradictions, and gaps in the Agenda. By KNOW Investigators
Climate Change Adaptation in Spain: When a Plan is not Enough
Reducing carbon emissions is no longer enough to reduce the effects of climate change, making climate adaptation – the process of adjustment to climate change and entailing hazards – necessary. Cristina Bernal Aparicio takes a look at Spain's climate adaptation plan, its flaws, and its potential.
Jordan’s Swelling Cities: No More Time for Procrastination!
Challenges to residents, resources, and the environment alike: Mohammad Asfour shares his observations on Jordan's rapid urbanisation.
Cities Are Still Not Doing Enough to Reduce Air Pollution
Despite scientific evidence of the relation between air pollution and premature deaths, cities are hesitant to take bold action for clean air. Mark Nieuwenhuijsen and Sasha Khomenko on reasons and perspectives.
Spatial Fragmentation in Nairobi City; the Elephant in the Room
Nairobi is recognised to be among the rapidly urbanising and growing economies in East and Central Africa. Eunice Jimmy reviews the city's spatial, economic, and social structure, uncovering its dual nature of formal/informal, planned/unplanned, and connected/disconnected fragments, hence Nairobi's spatial fragmentation.
Rethinking “Fortress Europe”: Public Spaces from Idomeni to Thessaloniki, Greece
After years of ongoing crisis, the once called temporary measures at the EU borders have become constant ones: the Fortress Europe has solidified. Isabell Enssle presents the effects the fortified border has for communities and public spaces from the North Macedonian-Greek borderline to the city of Thessaloniki, linking them with a tool kit for inclusive public spaces.
Energy Efficiency Policies and Net-Zero Ambitions: Collaborative Public-Private Partnerships Across Latin America
Juanita Alvarez outlines how the Green Building Councils of Latin America employed Public Private Partnerships to join forces for sustainable development.
Planning for Growth: How to Manage Rapid Urbanisation
Rapid urbanisation is leading to quick spatial expansion in cities across Africa – but cities are largely failing to manage this growth. Urban expansion planning is a tested and pragmatic strategy that cities can use to organise their urban peripheries. By Patrick Lamson-Hall
Innovation Through Inclusion – Partnerships for a New Climate Reality
To successfully battle climate change, urban governance needs to empower vulnerable communities – and make sure to include their ideas and knowledge into urban planning mechanisms.