“There is no sustainable development without resilient and inclusive cities and communities.” – Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
The UfM Strategic Urban Development Action Plan 2040 establishes a common vision to tackling urban challenges in the region. It is the result of a 3-year collaboration between the European Commission and all UfM Member States, aiming to improve the quality of life for all citizens by building better, more inclusive, climate-resilient communities.
The Plan promotes science-led, evidence-based, inclusive and integrated planning, investment and implementation of urban projects, with coordination at the local, national and regional governance levels. It involves cooperation between national and local authorities, intergovernmental organisations, international financial institutions, and other stakeholders.
Project promoters are kindly requested to fill in the “UfM Framework for Description and Evaluation of Urban Project Proposals” at the following link to submit project proposals.
Context
• By 2030, nearly 80% of the Mediterranean countries’ populations will be concentrated on 10% of the land – predominantly the coastline.
The UfM Urban Agenda aims to support the creation of more resilient and inclusive cities in the Mediterranean region, with a focus on reducing inequalities and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. It covers, among other things:
- urban development and governance;
- affordable and sustainable housing;
- access to services;
- digital connectivity; and
- economic opportunities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted the need for sustainable urbanisation, putting further pressure on social security, health and sanitation systems, and the economic livelihood of millions.
Objectives and Proposed Actions
ACTION 1
To promote the design, regional coordination, and cohesion of national urban policies and integrated city development strategies.
UfM Action Plan (see here)
Axis of Intervention 1 – Housing Action Plan (see here)
ACTION 2
To promote and support planning and design education and build capacity that supports de objectives of this Action Plan.
UfM Action Plan (see here)
Axis of Intervention 1 – Housing Action Plan (see here)
ACTION 3
To promote cross-border cooperation, and the exchange of knowledge between local and national planning authorities.
UfM Action Plan (see here)
Axis of Intervention 1 – Housing Action Plan (see here)
ACTION 4
To improve the region’s infrastructure interoperability for better connectivity, and for better resilience in case of disasters or conflict.
UfM Action Plan (see here)
Axis of Intervention 1 – Housing Action Plan (see here)
ACTION 5
To promote the design of integrative strategic projects for cities in the Euro-Mediterranean region in a set of thematic axes of intervention.
UfM Action Plan (see here)
Axis of Intervention 1 – Housing Action Plan (see here)
ACTION 6
To establish a results-based, systematic evaluation, monitoring and reporting system in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
UfM Action Plan (see here)
Axis of Intervention 1 – Housing Action Plan (see here)
Policy Framework
The UfM Urban Agenda was launched at the first meeting of the UfM Regional Platform for Sustainable Urban Development in November 2017. This meeting also created the Regional Platform, and agreed its specific objectives:
- Identify gaps in policy, implementation and financing
- Exchange knowledge, experience, best practice and innovative approaches between Member States, local authorities, and other relevant stakeholders
- Foster and reinforce multi-level and multi-stakeholder partnerships
- Create action plans on specific thematic priorities for working groups
- Prepare a UfM report on contribution to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda
Three working groups were created: two thematic working groups on urban regeneration, and affordable and sustainable housing, and a permanent working group on urban indicators. The two thematic working groups designed the Strategic Action Plan for the UfM’s Urban Agenda in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Timeline
2017
- 2nd UfM Ministerial on Sustainable Urban Development, Cairo (May)
- 1st UfM Regional Platform for Sustainable Urban Development, Brussels (November) – launch of UfM Urban Agenda
2018
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- 1st Working Group on
Affordable and Sustainable Housing meeting, Brussels (September)
- 1st Working Group on
2019
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- 2nd Working Group on Affordable and Sustainable Housing meeting, Paris (March)
- 1st Working Group on Urban Regeneration meeting, Brussels (June)
- 1st Permanent Working Group meeting, Brussels (September)
- 2nd Working Group on Urban Regeneration meeting, Brussels (December)
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2021
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- 3rd Permanent Working Group meeting, online (March)
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2019 - 2020
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- Multi-stakeholder consultative process for the Action Plan
- 2020 – 2nd meeting of UfM Regional Platform, online (December)
- 2nd Permanent Working Group meeting, online (December)
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Key Partners
Media Corner
Press contact
+34 935 214 137
+34 691 519 634
media@ufmsecretariat.org
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