The New Urban Agenda: A Framework for Sustainable Urban Development

The New Urban Agenda (NUA) represents a transformative vision for creating more sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban environments worldwide, with particular relevance to European urban development strategies.

Origins and Adoption

The New Urban Agenda was adopted at the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in Quito, Ecuador, on 20 October 2016. It emerged as a response to unprecedented global urbanisation and the need for a coordinated international approach to urban development challenges. The document was developed through an extensive consultative process involving member states, intergovernmental organisations, UN agencies, experts, local governments, and civil society organisations.

The NUA builds upon previous international frameworks, including the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and aligns closely with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 11 which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Core Vision and Principles

At its heart, the New Urban Agenda presents a paradigm shift based on the science of cities. It establishes standards and principles for planning, constructing, developing, managing and improving urban areas. The vision is centred on creating cities and human settlements that:

• Provide equal rights and opportunities for all residents
• Promote social inclusion and end poverty
• Enable sustainable economic growth
• Achieve environmental sustainability
• Are well-planned and well-managed

The NUA recognises cities not as sources of problems but as potential solutions to global challenges. It emphasises that properly managed urbanisation can serve as a powerful tool for sustainable development in both developing and developed countries.

Five Main Pillars of Implementation

The New Urban Agenda is structured around five key pillars of implementation:

1. National Urban Policies: Developing comprehensive frameworks that coordinate urban development at the national level, ensuring minimum standards for urban services and infrastructure.
2. Urban Legislation and Regulations: Creating legal frameworks that provide predictability around property rights, security of tenure, and protection of public spaces.
3. Urban Planning and Design: Implementing integrated approaches that balance short-term needs with long-term outcomes, focusing on mixed social and economic uses, quality public spaces, and sustainable mobility.
4. Local Economy and Municipal Finance: Establishing sustainable financing mechanisms and supporting economic development at the local level.
5. Local Implementation: Ensuring practical application of the agenda's principles through local governance structures and participatory processes.

European Context and Implementation

The European Union has been actively engaged in supporting the implementation of the New Urban Agenda since its adoption. This commitment aligns with broader EU priorities for sustainable development and urban policy.

The Urban Agenda for the EU

A key mechanism for implementing the NUA in Europe is the Urban Agenda for the EU, which provides an integrated and coordinated approach to addressing the urban dimension of EU and national policies and legislation. It focuses on concrete priority themes within dedicated partnerships to improve quality of life in urban areas.

The Urban Agenda for the EU operates on three main principles:

• Better Regulation: Improving the design and implementation of EU legislation related to urban areas
• Better Funding: Enhancing access to and utilisation of European funds for urban development
• Better Knowledge: Strengthening the knowledge base on urban issues and facilitating the exchange of best practices

By 2021, 14 action plans had been produced under this framework, encompassing more than 130 specific actions to be implemented by partners and stakeholders.

EU Voluntary Commitments

In 2016, the EU and its Member States made three voluntary commitments to implement the UN New Urban Agenda, which were subsequently completed. In April 2022, during the UN High Level Meeting on the implementation of the NUA, the EU renewed these commitments and announced three new voluntary commitments, demonstrating continued engagement with the agenda's goals.

The European Union has also reinforced its involvement in making SDG 11 and the urban dimensions of the 2030 Agenda priorities within EU policy responses to sustainable development. This includes supporting sustainable urban development through EU Cohesion Policy and development cooperation programmes.

Current Relevance and Impact

The New Urban Agenda remains highly relevant to addressing contemporary urban challenges in Europe, including:

• Housing affordability and accessibility
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation
• Social inclusion and integration
• Sustainable mobility and transport
• Urban economic development and job creation
• Public health and wellbeing

The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the importance of resilient urban planning and the need for inclusive public spaces, adequate housing, and accessible services-all principles emphasised in the NUA.

Educational Resources and Knowledge Sharing

To support implementation, UN-Habitat has developed resources such as the New Urban Agenda Illustrated handbook, which breaks down the contents into three chapters: Core Dimensions, Means of Implementation, and Governance, Follow-up and Review. This handbook is complemented by a free online crash course that provides interactive learning opportunities for urban stakeholders.

The New Urban Agenda represents an ongoing commitment to transforming urban environments for the benefit of all residents while addressing pressing global challenges. Its implementation in Europe continues to shape policy discussions and urban development practices across the continent.

References

1. European Commission. "New Urban Agenda." https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/themes/urban-development/new-urban-agenda_en
2. Habitat III. "The New Urban Agenda." https://habitat3.org/the-new-urban-agenda/
3. UN-Habitat. "The New Urban Agenda Illustrated Handbook." https://unhabitat.org/the-new-urban-agenda-illustrated
4. Open Research Amsterdam. "European Union - Urban Agenda Platform." https://openresearch.amsterdam/nl/page/80077/european-union---urban-agenda-platform
5. UN-Habitat. "The New Urban Agenda." https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/download-manager-files/The%20New%20Urban%20Agenda%20_%20Revised%20Low%20Res.pdf
6. UNESCWA. "The New Urban Agenda Illustrated." http://www.unescwa.org/publications/new-urban-agenda-illustrated
7. Global Land Tool Network. "The New Urban Agenda Illustrated." https://gltn.net/2022/03/10/the-new-urban-agenda-illustrated/
8. SaferSpaces. "The New Urban Agenda Explainer." https://www.saferspaces.org.za/uploads/files/New_Urban_Agenda_Explainer_FInal.pdf
9. Habitat III. "New Urban Agenda." https://habitat3.org/wp-content/uploads/NUA-English.pdf