Global Urban Debates
Financing Africa’s Urban Future
As Africa’s cities expand, the financing challenge is becoming a governance challenge: cities need more reliable revenues, better access to capital and stronger tools to turn growth into inclusive, resilient development.
Private capital is not a shortcut: Lessons from WUF13
Can private capital help solve the housing crisis? At #WUF13, Laura Puttkamer explores why financing needs strong cities, public investment and long-term partnerships.
Private Capital for Climate-Resilient Cities: How Can the Double Leap Succeed?
How can rapidly growing cities provide adequate housing while becoming more climate-resilient? Birgit Pickel, Director General – Sustainable Development and Climate, BMZ discusses the role of cities, municipal partnerships and urban financing at WUF13.
Housing Must Work for Children
Where a child grows up can shape their future. Yet housing policy rarely reflects this. Why cities must move beyond units—and start building environments where children can truly thrive. By Manish Thakre
Cities Within Cities: How Informal Settlements Actually Work
Around 1.1 billion people live in informal settlements, yet their systems remain invisible to urban planning. Far from deficient, these neighbourhoods operate as complex resource networks. The challenge is no longer understanding them – but planning with them.
Five Reasons Cities Need Gender-Sensitive Urban Planning
Care work, safety, and everyday mobility shape how cities are used , yet they often remain overlooked in planning. Sina Nielsen explores why this gap matters and what a different approach could look like.