Cities and urban development Archives

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[ January 27, 2026 ] Introducing LPSA’s Monday Minute Community
[ January 26, 2026 ] Can federalism constrain authoritarianism? Decentralization
[ January 19, 2026 ] How intergovernmental fiscal transfers shape local democracy Decentralization
[ January 16, 2026 ] Why people-centered smart cities matter for decentralization Cities and urban development
[ January 14, 2026 ] UCLG: Towards a new Local Social Covenant Community

Why people-centered smart cities matter for decentralization

January 16, 2026 LPS Alliance

Around the world, cities are embracing digital technologies to improve mobility, service delivery, urban planning, and citizen engagement. Yet many “smart city” initiatives place technology at the center, rather than people. Sensors, platforms, and dashboards […]

How decentralization is shaping economic development in Burkina Faso

November 24, 2025 Lynn Wambu

Over the past few decades, decentralization has become a key reform strategy across sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to bring the government closer to the people and boost local development. Burkina Faso offers a compelling case. A […]

Advancing multilevel governance and urban finance in Somalia

October 27, 2025 Jacqueline Muthura

The Local Public Sector Alliance (LPSA), in partnership with the World Bank Somalia, implemented a sequence of two capacity-building programs in 2025 designed to equip Somali policymakers and practitioners with the skills, tools, and frameworks […]

Financing green futures: Eco-fiscal tools in Canadian cities

September 14, 2025 Marina Jandrevska

As the impacts of climate change grow more severe, governments at all levels are facing a dual challenge: how to fund the transition to sustainable communities while managing increasing fiscal pressures. In this context, municipalities […]

Unlocking Municipal Finance for African Cities

June 14, 2025 Marina Jandrevska

African cities are vital areas that require well-funded infrastructure and services to be livable, sustainable, and productive. However, financing urban development is a complex issue. A recent working paper by the African Cities Research Consortium […]

Unlocking Subnational Finance

May 11, 2025 Marina Jandrevska

Municipalities in low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs) face financing needs that far exceed available resources. Urban infrastructure investment in L&MICs requires 2 to 4 percent of their combined GDP annually, yet current investment flows cover […]

Contribute to the survey: Reimagining urban governance in Asia and the Pacific

February 5, 2025 LPS Alliance

Participate in an online consultation to shape sustainable, equitable, and resilient cities across the Asia & Pacific region. The UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, in collaboration with Arup and in partnership with ESCAP and UN-Habitat, is […]

Empowering Local Communities Through Digital Transformation

January 29, 2025 Marina Jandrevska

In an era where digital interactions dominate daily life, local governments stand at the forefront of innovation, directly engaging with citizens. Cities, bustling with tech-savvy populations accustomed to seamless online experiences like shopping and banking, […]

Reimagining Urban Governance in Asia and the Pacific

January 28, 2025 Limabenla Jamir

As Asia and the Pacific region urbanize at an unprecedented pace, the need for transformative urban governance has never been more urgent. Over half of the region’s population now resides in cities, which generate over […]

Financing strategies for inclusive urban development

August 22, 2024 LPS Alliance

Rapidly growing urban disparities in the Global South threaten to exclude many people from receiving the benefits of development progress. Particularly in the context of complex urban challenges—including urban congestion, housing affordability, livability, climate change, […]