Developing countries are facing irreversible urbanization trends with significant impact on the way land is accessed, used and managed.

The increased flow of knowledge, economic activities and information between urban and rural areas has blurred the lines of what is traditionally urban land and what is rural land.

The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. The Day is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.

World Cities Day aims to promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization, enhance cooperation among countries and cities in meeting opportunities and addressing challenges of urbanization, and contribute to sustainable urban development. The overall World Cities Day theme is Better City, Better Life and this year’s particular theme is Building Sustainable and Resilient Cities. The main event will be celebrated in Liverpool, UK.

The Shelter Academy is a week-long capacity building programme that will equip participants with the knowledge, skills and know-how to respond to urban challenges related to climate change in their cities.

Target Group: Mayors, decision-makers, senior managers, and senior government officials are invited to apply. Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

The 5-day long urban governance programme seeks to strengthen the capacity of decision-makers in the area of urban management and planning for sustainable urbanization, and develop skills and know-how in local finance, housing, urban planning and land management, mobility and urban sustainability.  

The World Urban Forum (WUF) was established in 2001 by the United Nations to address one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies. Convened by UN-Habitat, the Forum is a high level, open and inclusive platform for addressing the challenges of sustainable urbanization.

Join us for a webinar co-hosted by the the Land Portal Foundation, Habitat for Humanity International, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, UN Habitat and Tata Trusts on the distribution of urban land in the global south. 

NASA’s Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET) has opened registration for a new open, online webinar series: Satellite Remote Sensing for Urban Heat Islands.

NASA’s Applied Remote Sensing Training Program, ARSET has opened a new open, online webinar series: Introduction to Population Grids and their Integration with Remote Sensing Data for Sustainable Development and Disaster Management

Theme: Smart Cities in Africa for the 21st Century