UN-Habitat’s Integrated Municipal Finance Programme – Part 1
UN-Habitat's municipal finance programme is witnessing an exciting evolution in Kenya that offers lessons for local governments worldwide. Marco Kamiya, UN-Habitat’s Chief of the Urban Economy and Finance Branch describes the challenges cities face in their efforts to advance the sustainable development agenda.
Open Data for Better Public Services
To improve public services and increase transparency, the City of Buenos Aires has developed various open data applications.
How Local Governments Can Support Micro-Businesses and Start-Ups
Start-ups and Micro-businesses drive innovation and quality control and provide employment. The intervention of local governments can create conditions where such small businesses can thrive, says Ayodotun Stephen Ibidunni.
Saudi Arabia’s Smart Cities Program: Why Local Government is Imperative to Digital Transformation
Cities can only become “smart” if they are responsive to their citizens – therefore, local governments need to take the lead in the digital transformation, says Bilal Saghir.
A Pulse for Cities: What Makes Open Contracting Essential to Modernizing City Governments
Contracting is an unacknowledged superpower that cities have at their disposal to ensure high-quality service delivery to their citizens. Kathrin Frauscher explains how to go about it.
Islands of Integrity™: Replicating La Paz’s Successful Anti-corruption Experience
How can cities effectively tackle corruption? Through a transformative process that involves those who are part of the problem, argue Ronald MacLean Abaroa and Ana Vasilache, who have developed their own successful anti-corruption methodology.
Leave No One Behind in Cities: How Can Knowledge Gaps About Marginalisation Be Filled?
Street dwellers and the urban poor often don’t have access to their cities’ services. One reason behind this problem is the fact that they are not surveyed and consulted in data collection. How can this gap be filled?
Sustainable Cities for All – How Can SDGs Contribute?
Migrant workers in cities often experience exclusion and discrimination. Hoang Phuong Thao explains the particular situation of women migrant workers in Vietnam, and why SDG implementation is a great tool for integrating disadvantaged groups into the urban development process.
‘Leaving No-One Behind’ in Urban Climate Actions
Home to an increasing majority of the world’s population, cities are at the forefront of the fight against climate change and rising inequality. While it is recognised that these challenges need to be tackled together, one can also witness a growing awareness of the trade-offs that can occur in cases when urban climate projects insufficiently cater for the needs of vulnerable communities. Mathilde Bouyé and Delfina Grinspan outline how climate projects need to be designed in order to leave no one behind.