Announcements
Announcements
Local is the space where we connect the dots. Cities and towns can spearhead innovations to bridge the inequalities gaps, deliver climate action and ensure a green and inclusive recovery from the pandemic – especially as the proportion of people living in urban areas is projected to grow to 68 per cent by 2050.
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
Every October UN-Habitat and partners organize a month of activities, events, and discussions on urban sustainability. #UrbanOctober is an opportunity for people around the world to join the conversation around the challenges and opportunities created by the fast pace of change in our cities and towns. National and local governments, universities, non-governmental organizations, communities, and other stakeholders in sustainable urbanization are encouraged to hold or participate in activities, events, and discussions.
The month starts off with #WorldHabitatDay on the 2nd of October 2023 with the theme ‘Resilient urban economies. Cities as drivers of growth and recovery’ that focuses on the important role that cities play in the recovery after crises, be it Covid-19, economic downturns, conflicts, or climate emergencies.
Urban October ends with #WorldCitiesDay on the 31st of October 2023 under the theme ‘Financing sustainable urban future for all’ that aims to identify ways to unlock transformative investments to fund sustainable urban transformation.
Find out more about Urban October, World Habitat Day and World Cities Day on the UN-Habitat Urban October website.
As we mark #UrbanOctober, SEI reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development and urban resilience. Over the years, we have undertaken numerous projects that resonate with our overarching goals related to climate change, resilience and environmental sustainability. Throughout this month, we aim to spotlight our endeavors in sustainable urbanization and highlight ongoing projects that align with SDG 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
A cornerstone of our efforts is the City Health and Well-being Initiative (CHeW). This initiative adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to delve into the effects of urban expansion on the well-being of city inhabitants. By collaborating with cities like Nakuru in Kenya and Udon Thani in Thailand — both of which are undergoing swift growth and confronting emergent environmental issues — CHeW seeks to provide actionable insights for equitable and sustainable urban policies. Our research in these primary case study sites has played a pivotal role in shaping sustainable planning practices and promoting holistic decision-making.
Feature / A novel study by SEI researchers unveils the psychophysiological responses to walking in the cities of Nakuru, Kenya and Udon Thani, Thailand.
The SEI Urban Toolbox for Liveable Cities is a comprehensive digital resource co-designed to empower city stakeholders—from officials and planners to residents and community groups—in creating more sustainable and health-conscious urban environments. Developed by the SEI Initiative on City Health and Well-being, the toolbox emphasizes participatory planning and offers a curated selection of user-friendly tools and methods. Hosted on the weADAPT digital platform, it serves as a one-stop shop for tackling diverse urban challenges and fostering inclusive governance.
SEI brief / The Urban Toolbox has been designed to address the challenges urban stakeholders face in accessing user-friendly resources with clear guidance for usage.
This podcast series, hosted by Vishal Mehta, explores the complexities of urban living. Each episode features experts discussing how we can make cities more equitable, liveable and sustainable amid rapid urbanization. The series aims to balance economic growth with social equity and environmental sustainability. Available on multiple platforms, the podcast invites listeners to engage in conversations on enhancing urban well-being and resilience.
Feature / Join SEI researchers in this new podcast series as they explore the pressing issues around how rapidly growing cities are affecting our well-being.
In recognition of Urban October, we would like to spotlight some more of SEI’s ongoing projects that make significant contributions to sustainable urban development. From inclusive low-carbon transport systems to innovative approaches in urban planning, SEI’s research projects are shaping a sustainable future of cities. Dive into the sections below to explore these transformative projects and initiatives in detail.
Addressing the complexities of water and sanitation services is a cornerstone of sustainable urban development. These services are not just basic human rights but also critical components in building resilient and equitable cities. Our focus in this section is on innovative approaches to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), particularly in urban settings where traditional systems often fall short. SEI's projects in this domain employ citizen science methodologies to bridge the data gaps in WASH services. For example, by actively involving marginalized communities in Mexico City, we aim to help create more inclusive and resilient urban environments. These initiatives are designed to improve the quality and accessibility of WASH services, thereby contributing to the well-being and dignity of all urban residents. The projects and initiatives detailed below offer a comprehensive look at our efforts in this critical area, from the utilization of citizen science to sustainable sanitation planning. These endeavors align with the broader goals of sustainable urbanization. We invite you to explore these projects to gain a deeper understanding of our commitment to improving urban water and public services.
Project / Exploring the feasibility of citizen science to improve WASH conditions in two districts of Mexico City.
Perspective / Success for the world’s urbanization hotspots depends on matching sanitation services to city realities.
Climate adaptation in urban settings is a pressing issue that demands multi-faceted solutions. As cities become increasingly vulnerable to climate-related risks, from heat islands to landslides, the need for resilient urban planning and governance is more critical than ever. Our projects in this section delve into innovative strategies for climate adaptation, employing cross-sectoral approaches that encompass technological, social and policy-based solutions. The initiatives featured here, such as Regions4Climate and GCRF Peri-Urban Resilient Ecosystems (PURE), aim to enhance resilience at both the regional and local levels. These projects are designed to empower decision-making processes by providing actionable insights and scalable solutions. Whether it is stakeholder engagement in the Pärnu region or values-based scenario planning in Windhoek, Namibia, these initiatives offer a comprehensive approach to urban climate adaptation. We invite you to explore these projects further to understand the breadth and depth of our commitment to fostering resilient urban environments in the face of climate change.
Project / Regions4Climate will implement innovative actions to enhance climate resilience within the real-life environments of partner regions.
Project / PURE supports development of just and representative climate resilient urban strategies in dryland Namibia, to enhance future health, wellbeing and development.
The realm of urban transport is undergoing a transformation, driven by the urgent need for sustainability and inclusivity. As cities grapple with rising carbon emissions, air pollution and social inequality, SEI's projects aim to offer innovative solutions for low-carbon, inclusive transport systems. These initiatives help to create transport networks that are not only environmentally sustainable but also accessible to marginalized communities. We encourage you to delve deeper into the topic of urban transport to gain a comprehensive understanding of how urban transport can be reimagined to meet the dual challenges of climate change and social inclusion.
Project / Accelerating low carbon transport policies and plans that meet the mobility needs of marginalized groups in Indonesia.
Other publication / This guidance document summarizes key concepts around transport inclusion, participation, and climate change and provides novel tools for increasing engagement.
SEI's research in the field helped provide guidelines for practitioners to develop more inclusive and climate-resilient transport systems. It highlights the importance of active mobility, such as walking and cycling, in African cities and the need for safe transport infrastructure. Do not miss the project video that delves into using creative participatory approaches for inclusive climate-resilient transport in Africa.
Sustainable urban planning is pivotal for creating resilient, equitable and livable cities. It addresses pressing challenges such as climate change, social inequality and urban sprawl, aiming for a harmonious coexistence of human and natural systems. SEI is actively contributing to this field with projects like "Branching Out," which focuses on the social and cultural value of urban treescapes, and "Coherent Policy Development for High-Quality and Sustainable Living Environments in Estonia," aimed at creating a robust spatial planning strategy. These initiatives are designed to provide actionable insights and tools for policymakers, urban planners and citizens alike. To learn more about these impactful projects, we invite you to check them out.
Project / Novel methods to map the social and cultural value of trees to inform policy decisions regarding urban treescapes.
Project / This project aims to create a spatial planning development strategy and an action plan as well as put in place institutional arrangements in Estonia.
Programme / This project aims to accelerate investment in viable cities by assessing needs, frameworks and conditions under which financiers and cities can collaborate.
SEI brief / This initiative investigates how rapidly growing cities affect residents' wellbeing and how this interacts with the overall health of city systems.
Project / Understanding health and wellbeing impacts of mobility and co-designing mobility infrastructure improvements.
Project / This project explored linkages between sustainable urban planning, public transport, mobility, and gender in East Africa.
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