In this report, ESCAP explores the future of urbanization in Asia and the Pacific, focusing on the dynamic shifts in the region’s urban landscape. It highlights the region’s demographic transformations, including population ageing, and the persistent challenges of urban poverty and inequality. The analysis covers urban areas of all sizes, …
ROME (Reuters) - A small but deadly earthquake on the Italian holiday island of Ischia exposed a deep political fault line on Tuesday over the country's proliferation of unsafe, illegal housing. The tremor, officially recorded in Italy at a modest strength of 4.0, toppled buildings, killed two people and injured …
Drawing on CDKN’s experience of working with a wide range of cities, this working paper by Zoe Green, Lizzy Fitzgerald and Connie Norton of PwC identifies five levers of effective climate action in cities that climate change practitioners should be aware of, and where appropriate, build into their project approach …
Rural residents in Rwanda are caught between a rock and hard place as local authorities force them off land that has been reclassified from agricultural to residential use. This highlights the negative impact of the country’s rapid urbanisation on the poor. About 17 per cent of citizens live in urban …
A global panel of experts has recommended the creation of a first-ever international body focused on urban sustainability. The panel was formed at the behest of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who subsequently indicated his support for the creation of such an entity, being referred to as “UN Urban”. The proposal, …
This working paper highlights adaptation projects that have taken place in Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals that these efforts address. These 17 case studies offer insights into creative ways that urban and peri-urban areas have found to address complex social, economic, and health issues that are surfacing with climate …
The Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers (2016-17), present this Thirty Ninth Report (Sixteenth Lok Sabha) on Action Taken by the Government on the observations/recommendations contained in the Thirty Fourth Report (Sixteenth Lok Sabha) of the Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers (2016-17) on the subject 'Implementation of Policy on …
Local officials currently have plans to build roads in Mount Leuser, Bukit Barisan Selatan and Kerinci Seblat National Parks in Indonesia's Sumatra Island. Conservationists fear these plans could accelerate habitat loss and degradation in this highly biodiverse forest complex, which is home to many endangered species. Proponents of road development …
This report provides an overview of the institutional, policy and financing landscape shaping Tanzania’s urban areas, and summarises some of the social, economic and environmental costs associated with current trends. While recognising the historical and ongoing constraints on the Tanzania’s urban development path, this report also highlights opportunities for the …
This working paper reviews 12 decision-making methods to explore how different approaches may lead key people working in cities and surrounding urban areas of Southern Africa to make better-informed decisions about adapting to climate change. The review covers both decision-making process methods - that is, those that describe and provide …
The unprecedented population growth in Africa and its projections followed by a high rate of urbanization are resulting in a growing number of huge urban agglomerations – cities and megacities. That phenomenon creates opportunities for the continent, but it also raises concerns about low levels of development and diminished quality …
Environment scientist and Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru professor T V Ramachandra has said that Bengaluru has turned into a ‘dead city’ and Mysuru should not go the Bengaluru way. Ramachandra delivered a lecture on ‘Unplanned Urbanisation with Fragmented Governance and Poor Environment Health-Nexus’ as part of an international conference …
Urbanization in East Asia and the Pacific has created enormous opportunity for many. Yet the rapid growth of cities can also create challenges as national and local governments try to keep up with the needs of their growing populations. Among these challenges is a lack of affordable housing, resulting in …
This global report provides a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of trends, challenges and innovative solutions in food assistance at a time of complex emergencies and soaring needs. World Food Assistance 2017 considers the measures pursued by national, regional and international actors to respond to, prepare for and prevent food …
More than 2 billion people globally are living in countries with excess water stress says the Sustainable Development Goals report 2017. Northern Africa and Western Asia, as well as Central and Southern Asia, experience water stress levels above 60 per cent, indicating the strong probability of future water scarcity. The …
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) now form the backbone of today's economies – providing individuals with access to such vitally important resources as employment opportunities, online banking and healthcare. As such, United Nations leaders have turned to ICTs to fast-forward efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). …
Asia and the Pacific, a region with an impressive development track record, will need to step up its overall development reform effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, according to a new report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), …
All UN member states are committed to achieve SDGs Agenda 2030 consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets, spanning the three dimensions of economic, social and environmental development. Under this framework, each national government as well as other stakeholders, including local governments, business and the civil society is expected to …
The process of urbanization in Africa has the potential to be the most important instrument for social and economic development and poverty alleviation if a comprehensive framework for urban growth is established. The timing to get urbanization right is critical as most urbanization in Africa is yet to happen. This …
The recently agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are expected to guide development through the 2030 time horizon. The 17 SDGs cover many areas, such as poverty, health, sustainable development, and the environment. Given that trade is not an end in itself, there is no specific SDG goal for trade, but …
This handbook is designed primarily for local government leaders and policy makers. It seeks to support public policy and decision making so they can implement activities to reduce disaster risk and build resilience. It sets out practical guidance for putting the “Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient“, into action. This …
