Urban planning and design are of utmost importance for the creation of socially inclusive, resilient, economically prosperous and energy-efficient cities that maximize the benefits of agglomeration, minimize the demand for urban mobility and transport, and provide conditions necessary for urban economic growth and job creation. As sustainable urban development remains one of the most pressing global challenges of the twenty-first century, national governments and their partners must consequently pay greater attention and make joint efforts to build greener, more harmonious, equitable, inclusive and environment-friendly cities. The Global Activities Report 2015, takes into account the progress made in addressing UN-Habitat’s projects portfolio with a view to increasing its impact and facilitating national ownership. An encouraging trend during the current reporting period is that the earmarked portfolio has continued to grow, confirming rising demand for the Agency’s technical expertise.
