Matthew McCabe’s Post

At #COP16, KAUST Professor Sami G. Al-Ghamdi is demonstrating how sustainable urban planning can mitigate the effects of #desertification and create more resilient cities. Prof. Al-Ghamdi’s research focuses on building sustainable cities by quantifying the environmental impact of urban development. His expertise plays a key role in advancing sustainable urban planning both within Saudi Arabia and internationally. Learn more: https://kaust.news/RmG9 #KAUSTCOP16 #KAUST

World Cities Day 2024 will focus on the theme "Better City, Better Life," emphasizing how youth and key stakeholders are influencing climate action and urban issues. The NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, in collaboration with various partners, stresses the importance of investing in housing and essential services. Effective urban planning requires innovative strategies involving local and national governments, civil society, and the private sector to meet global housing demands. Aligning with the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, particularly SDG 11, is crucial for funding scalable initiatives. Community involvement ensures that urban projects are culturally relevant and practical. Promoting green construction and energy-efficient designs can reduce costs while supporting climate goals. Additionally, urban planning must incorporate disaster preparedness and resilience strategies to address increasing climate-related challenges. The aim is to create cities that foster equitable and sustainable living, ensuring no one is left behind as we approach significant events like the UN-Habitat World Urban Forum in Cairo and COP29. Join us by registering here https://hubs.ly/Q02WvWRJ0 #WorldCitiesDay #BetterCityBetterLife #SustainableUrbanDevelopment #ClimateAction #Sustainability #UrbanPlanning #SDG11 #CommunityEngagement #GreenBuilding #DisasterResilience #FutureOfCities

The World Urban Forum wrapped up in Cairo with over 24,000 attendees from 182 countries uniting for sustainable and equitable cities.The forum's theme, #ItAllStartsAtHome brought together leaders, innovators, and advocates to focus on local actions that can drive #sustainable urban development globally. The Forum highlighted critical topics including financing the #SDGs, climate-resilient urban design, and affordable #housing for all. High-level leaders, including four heads of state and nearly 100 mayors, joined forces to discuss innovative partnerships, resource mobilization, and #urbanplanning models that could withstand future challenges. WUF12 concluded with the Cairo Call to Action, a powerful document capturing commitments to sustainable urbanization that will guide ongoing work across sectors. UN-Habitat reaffirmed its commitment to transforming these recommendations into actionable solutions, taking the Cairo Call to Action to #COP29 in Baku. Through the WUF Advisory Group, WUF12’s outcomes will influence cities worldwide, aligning with global goals like the Paris Agreement and the #NewUrbanAgenda. https://lnkd.in/dCQcHzaa

The World Urban Forum wrapped up in Cairo with over 24,000 attendees from 182 countries uniting for sustainable and equitable cities.The forum's theme, #ItAllStartsAtHome brought together leaders, innovators, and advocates to focus on local actions that can drive #sustainable urban development globally. The Forum highlighted critical topics including financing the #SDGs, climate-resilient urban design, and affordable #housing for all. High-level leaders, including four heads of state and nearly 100 mayors, joined forces to discuss innovative partnerships, resource mobilization, and #urbanplanning models that could withstand future challenges. WUF12 concluded with the Cairo Call to Action, a powerful document capturing commitments to sustainable urbanization that will guide ongoing work across sectors.UN-Habitat reaffirmed its commitment to transforming these recommendations into actionable solutions, taking the Cairo Call to Action to #COP29 in Baku. Through the WUF Advisory Group, WUF12’s outcomes will influence cities worldwide, aligning with global goals like the Paris Agreement and the #NewUrbanAgenda. https://loom.ly/1ZcSMd0

🌍 As the World Urban Forum 12 Egypt begins, it’s a timely reminder of the challenges and opportunities in sustainable urban development. “By 2050, nearly 70% of the population in developing countries will be urban”, as highlighted by Emmanuelle Riedel Drouin, Director of the Financing Department at Proparco, in our Private Sector & Development magazine dedicated to the subject of sustainable cities. 🚧 What is at stake: deploying sustainable infrastructure and services is more crucial than ever, as urbanisation brings significant risks: informal settlements, social fragmentation, climate vulnerability. Only cohesive collaboration between public and private sectors can enable cities to manage these challenges sustainably. 📘 What solutions: in PS&D magazine n°40, experts discuss how the private sector is a vital partner in addressing these demands, especially in rapidly urbanising regions like Africa. From affordable housing to digital infrastructure and electric mobility, the articles showcase innovative, impactful solutions essential to the green transition. 🌐 Fostering resilient cities requires joint efforts. The private sector’s engagement is vital for developing liveable, prosperous, and green urban spaces. Dive in and discover more about how sustainable cities are being built: https://lnkd.in/gq48JPW8 Françoise LOMBARD Djalal Khimdjee Jean-Baptiste Sabatié Agence Française de Développement #WUF12 #PSandD #Sustainablecities

Transportation congestion and the resulting car pollution significantly contribute to air quality deterioration, emitting harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which pose serious health risks and environmental challenges in big cities in #Egypt.     FHI 360 is partnering with Morgan State University, an HBCU, to provide technical training to a USAID Egyptian Pioneers - برنامج رواد وعلماء مصر scholar, who will learn about sustainable architecture and conduct research on sustainable transportation in Egypt.

🔈 New CARPO Report 🔈 In the new CARPO Report "Urbanism in Flux. Smart and Sustainable Cities as Spaces for Regional Cooperation in West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula", my dear colleague Sina Winkel and I analyze the implications of growing #urbanization in West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. ⏩ What are the most relevant developments in green urban development? ⏩ What are the main challenges? ⏩ Does green urbanism provide a platform for regional cooperation? ⏩ How can policymakers engage more constructively to promote green urban development? ❗ Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/dJtmh6Qp. ❗ The report is part of the Tafahum wa Tabadul Project and builds on extensive and constructive discussions with urban experts, academics, and researchers from the #GCC, #Iran, #Iraq, and #Yemen. Learn more about the project here: https://lnkd.in/d82cUSwg

I was honored to be part of the 12th World Urban Forum #WUF12 the second largest UN event after the COP where held here in Cairo from November 4-8, 2024. With over 37,000 participants from 182 countries, it marked the largest World Urban Forum in history, highlighting Egypt's commitment to sustainable urban development on a global scale. I engaged in insightful sessions that addressed some of the most pressing challenges for sustainable urban development! The sessions offered invaluable perspectives on building greener, more resilient cities and underscored the critical role of sustainable finance in supporting these goals. I had the privilege of learning from experts and thought leaders across multiple areas, including: Green Cities in Egypt - Strong Partnerships Towards Implementation: Showing the implementation of the Green Cities Programme, which comes within the framework of cooperation between the Egyptian government and #EBRD creating resilient cities in Cairo, 6th of October, Alexandria. Tackling Urban Climate Risks - Practical Guidance on Managing Climate Risks: Provided practical strategies for cities to manage climate-related risks, leveraging nature-based solutions to build resilience. Scaling Up Climate Finance to Combat Water Scarcity: Discussed innovative approaches to financing water resilience and ensuring sustainable water access for all. Financing Urban Infrastructure: Explored strategies for closing the infrastructure funding gap and mobilizing resources to create inclusive, sustainable urban spaces. Accelerating SDG Localization Financing Toward 2030 through UN-Habitat: Focused on aligning local development goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and catalyzing investment in critical urban projects. Bridging the Gap - Unlocking Finance for Local Climate Projects: Emphasized the need to unlock finance at the local level to drive impactful climate action on the ground. Zero Waste World: Explored pathways to reduce waste and build a circular economy, from local initiatives to large-scale policies. The discussions underscored the importance of collaboration and financing solutions and banking products to achieve sustainable urbanization and to bridge the finance gaps and turn climate challenges into opportunities for a greener, more inclusive future! #WUF #SustainableCities #UNHabitat #ClimateFinance #UrbanDevelopment #SDGs #Sustainability #GreenCities #ClimateRisk

❗ NEW PUBLICATION ❗ Dear friends and colleagues, we are happy to share with you a new publication resulting out of our Tafahum wa Tabadul project entitled ‘Urbanism in Flux. Smart and Sustainable Cities as Spaces for Regional Cooperation in West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula’, written by Sina Winkel and Dr. Sebastian Sons. Cities generate 75% of global CO₂ emissions from energy use, with rapid urbanization projected in West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in the #GCC countries. Urbanization poses challenges like housing shortages, congestion, pollution and inefficient public transport. In response, GCC countries are developing smart cities, such as Saudi Arabia's NEOM and the UAE's Masdar City, aiming for high quality of life and economic growth. However, these projects face issues like social inequalities, infrastructure deficits and environmental impacts. Despite technological advances, obstacles to sustainable development persist. This CARPO Report argues that regional cooperation is crucial to addressing these challenges and fostering sustainable urban growth through initiatives that emphasize cultural heritage, environmental education and community engagement, promoting socio-economic and environmental resilience. You can download the full Report here: https://lnkd.in/d-ZmUsdS To learn more about our Tafahum wa Tabadul project, click here: https://lnkd.in/edPTTPMr

At the inaugural #AfricaUrbanForum AfricanUnion Member States committed to advancing urbanization as a core driver of the continent’s transformation. The Forum's final declaration underscores the role of urban planning, infrastructure development, and inclusive urban policies in addressing Africa’s challenges. The declaration emphasizes the irreversible nature of urbanization and its potential for driving economic growth and sustainable development in Africa. It also recognizes the role of UN-Habitat in supporting African nations with policy recommendations, capacity-building initiatives, and innovative solutions to foster resilient and sustainable urban development. Key areas of collaboration with UN-Habitat include: • Strengthening national urban forums and the development of integrated, inclusive national urban policies that align with UN-Habitat’s global initiatives such as the #NewUrbanAgenda. • Promoting climate resilience in African cities through the Africa Urban Resilience Programme, backed by UN-Habitat’s flagship Building Climate Resilience for the Urban Poor (BCRUP) initiative. • Supporting the operationalization of the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) initiative, which focuses on urban climate resilience and was initiated during #COP27. The African Urban Forum provided a platform for discussions on a wide range of urban issues to promote sustainable urbanization and enhance the quality of life for African citizens. Congratulations to everyone involved for a successful event. https://lnkd.in/dWdxf47x