INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES ON

URBAN AND TERRITORIAL PLANNING

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

First published in Nairobi in 2015 by UN-Habitat

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INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES ON

URBAN AND TERRITORIAL PLANNING

iv International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

Foreword
With the worlds urban population having crossed the
fifty per cent threshold of global population, it has
become increasingly clear that the future is urban.
Urbanization is progressing rapidly, particularly in
developing countries, and has been accompanied by
both opportunities and challenges.
national contexts, where appropriate, and further

Agglomeration provides significant economies of

scale for cities and regions, but can also lead to costs

developing tools and monitoring indicators.

and externalities such as those associated with noise,

The Guidelines have been designed to complement

congestion and pollution. Global challenges such as

the International Guidelines on Decentralisation

climate change and resource depletion affect different

and the Strengthening of Local Authorities (2007),

areas in various ways and require new and innovative

as well as the International Guidelines on Access to

responses.

In order to deal with these challenges, different

approaches to planning have been tested and
implemented worldwide. While there are valuable
lessons learnt from these diverse efforts, the
International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial
Planning (Guidelines) are designed to fill a critical gap
by providing a reference framework for planning that
is useful across a range of scales and adaptable to
distinct regional, national and local contexts.
As a response to Resolution 24/3 of the Governing
Council of UN-Habitat, these Guidelines have been
developed through a wide consultative process and
built upon a range of experiences. The Guidelines
present twelve principles that could guide decisionmakers in developing or revising policies, plans and
designs through an integrated planning approach.

Basic Services for All (2009), which were previously

adopted by the UN-Habitat Governing Council and
which have been referenced in a number of countries.
Furthermore, the International Guidelines on Urban
and Territorial Planning are designed to support
the implementation of the forthcoming Post- 2015
Development Agenda, and the New Urban Agenda of
the third United Nations Conference on Housing and
Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in 2016.
The Guidelines are relevant for a variety of users:
national governments, local authorities, civil society
and professional planners. They emphasize the role
that these actors have in shaping both the form
and function of human settlements. It is my sincere
hope that these Guidelines can provide inspiration
and direction to help build more compact, socially
inclusive, better connected and integrated cities and
territories.

The Guidelines were approved by the Governing

Council in Resolution 25/6 of 23 April 2015.
Moreover, this Resolution calls upon international
financial institutions, development agencies, and UNHabitat to assist interested member States in using

Dr. Joan Clos

and adapting the Guidelines to their territorial and

Executive Director, UN-Habitat

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

Contents
I. Background................................................................................................................. iv
A. Objectives.......................................................................................................................1
B.

Definition and Scope.......................................................................................................2

C. Context and Rationale....................................................................................................4

D.

Preparatory Process.........................................................................................................5

II. INTERNATIONAL Guidelines ON URBAN AND TERRITORIAL PLANNING.....................7

A.

Urban Policy and Governance.........................................................................................8

B.

Urban and Territorial Planning for Sustainable Development..........................................13

B1. Urban and Territorial Planning and Social Development........................................14
B2. Urban and Territorial Planning and Sustained Economic Growth...........................17
B3. Urban and Territorial Planning and the Environment.............................................20

C.

Urban and Territorial Planning Components..................................................................23

D.

Implementation and Monitoring of Urban and Territorial Planning.................................27

vi

BACKGROUND

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

A. Objectives
Since 1950, the world has been changing rapidly.

The goals of the Guidelines are captured hereunder:

The urban population grew from 746 million in

1950 (29.6 per cent of the world population) to

To develop a universally applicable reference

framework to guide urban policy reforms;

2.85 billion in 2000 (46.6 per cent), and it has

reached 3.96 billion in 2015 (54 per cent). It is
expected to total 5.06 billion by 2030 (60 per

To capture universal principles from national

cent of the world population). In response to that

and local experience that could support the

transformation, the International Guidelines on

development of diverse planning approaches

Urban and Territorial Planning (the Guidelines)

adapted to different contexts and scales;

are intended to be a framework for improving

global policies, plans, designs and implementation

To complement and link to other international

processes, which will lead to more compact, socially

guidelines aimed at fostering sustainable urban

inclusive, better integrated and connected cities and

development;

territories that foster sustainable urban development

and are resilient to climate change.

To raise the urban and territorial dimensions of

the development agendas of national, regional
and local governments.

Aerial view of Paris, France Flickr/Mortimer62

2 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

B. Definition and Scope

Urban and territorial planning can be defined

At national level, national plans could take

as a decision-making process aimed at realizing

advantage of existing and planned economic

economic, social, cultural and environmental

poles and large infrastructure in order to

goals through the development of spatial

support, structure and balance the system of

visions, strategies and plans and the application

towns and cities, including in urban corridors

of a set of policy principles, tools, institutional

and river basins, to fully unleash their

and participatory mechanisms and regulatory

economic potential;

procedures.
Urban and territorial planning has an inherent

At city-region and metropolitan

level, subnational regional plans

and fundamental economic function. It is a

could foster economic development by

powerful instrument for reshaping the forms and

promoting regional economies of scale and

functions of cities and regions in order to generate

agglomeration, increasing productivity and

endogenous economic growth, prosperity and

prosperity, strengthening urban-rural linkages

employment, while addressing the needs of the

and adaptation to climate change impacts,

most vulnerable, marginalized or underserved

reducing disaster risks and intensity in the

groups.

use of energy, addressing social and spatial

disparities and promoting territorial cohesion

The Guidelines promote key urban and territorial

and complementarities in both growing and

planning principles and recommendations that can

declining areas;

assist all countries and cities to effectively guide

urban demographic changes (growth, stagnation or

At city and municipal level, city

decline) and improve the quality of life in existing

development strategies and integrated

and new urban settlements. Taking into account

development plans could prioritize

the principle of subsidiarity and the specific

investment decisions and encourage

governance arrangements of each country, the

synergies and interactions between separate

Guidelines should be used through the multiscale

urban areas. Land-use plans could contribute

continuum of spatial planning:

to the protection of environmentally sensitive

areas and to the regulation of land markets.

At supranational and transboundary

level, multinational regional strategies could

Urban extension and infill plans could

help direct investment to address global

optimize the use of land and support the

issues such as climate change and energy

protection and organization of urban open

efficiency, enable the integrated expansion of

spaces. Urban upgrading and retrofitting

urban areas in cross-border regions, mitigate

plans could increase residential and economic

natural risks and improve the sustainable

densities and promote more socially

management of shared natural resources;

integrated communities;

minimize transport and service delivery costs,

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

At neighbourhood level, street

be paid to accountability, implementability

development and public space plans and

and the capacity to enforce the legal

layouts could improve urban quality, social

framework where applicable;

cohesion and inclusion, and the protection

and budgeting, involving communities in

Sound and flexible urban planning and

design. Specific attention should be paid to

managing urban commons, such as public

the design of the common space, since it is

spaces and services, could contribute to

one of the main contributors to urban value

improved spatial integration and connectivity,

generation, with provision of appropriate

human security and resilience, local

street patterns and connectivity and the

democracy and social accountability.

allocation of open spaces. Equally important

of local resources. Participatory planning

is clarity in the layout of the buildable blocks

Different types of urban and territorial planning

and plots, including appropriate compactness

methods and practices exist and have been tested

and mixed economic use of the built area, in

in many countries: city-wide strategic planning,

order to reduce mobility needs and service

master planning, community planning, land-use

delivery costs per capita. Finally, the design

planning, etc. They all aim to influence urban

should facilitate the strengthening of the

forms and functions and do so in different ways;

social mix and interaction and the cultural

even plans that are not implemented have an

aspects of the city;

impact on the real world, for instance by becoming

planning methods is broad and reflects an evolving

A financial plan for affordability

and cost-effectiveness. The successful

continuum within which top-down and bottom-up

implementation of an urban plan depends on

approaches are combined to various degrees in

its sound financial basis, including the ability

each particular context.

of initial public investments to generate

obstacles to sustainable change. The spectrum of

economic and financial benefits and to cover

Whatever the approach, successful implementation

the running costs. Financial plans should

of plans always requires strong political will,

contain a realistic income plan, including

appropriate partnerships involving all relevant

the sharing of urban value between all

stakeholders and three key enabling components:

stakeholders, and an expenditure provision to

address the requirements of the urban plan.

Enforceable and transparent legal

framework. The emphasis should be

The three components cited above should be

on the establishment of a system of rules

balanced to ensure positive and achievable urban

and regulations that provide a solid and

outcomes. That should lead to increased cross-

predictable long-term legal framework for

sectoral synergies, delivery-focused partnerships

urban development. Special attention should

and streamlined and effective procedures.

4 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

C. Context and Rationale

The Guidelines will support the operationalization

In its resolution 24/3 of 19 April 2013, the Governing

of two sets of guidelines previously adopted by the

Council asked UN-Habitat to develop, in consultation

Governing Council of UN-Habitat:

with the Committee of Permanent Representatives,

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial

The international guidelines on decentralization

Planning and to present draft guidelines to the

and the strengthening of local authorities

Governing Council for approval at its twenty-fifth

(2007) are a catalyst for policy and institutional

session.

development and reforms at national level to

empower local authorities and improve urban

The Guidelines will help member States to promote

governance.1 They are policy-oriented and

an integrated approach to planning and building

have been used as a reference in a number of

sustainable cities and urban settlements, including

countries.

by supporting local authorities, increasing public

awareness and enhancing participation of urban

The international guidelines on access to basic

residents, including the poor, in decision-making.3

services for all (2009) provide an enabling

framework for improved partnerships in the

The Guidelines are an instrument to promote sound

delivery of basic services at city level. They are

urban and territorial planning around the world, based

process oriented and have been adapted to the

on universally agreed principles and national, regional

national conditions of various countries.

and local experience, as well as a broad framework to

guide urban policy reforms, taking into account the

The Guidelines on urban and territorial planning are

specific approaches, visions, models and tools existing

an opportunity to operationalize the above two sets of

in each country.

guidelines through a strong intersectoral and multilevel

approach. Sound urban and territorial planning is

National governments, local authorities and their

indeed a way to strengthen local authorities and to

partners will adapt the Guidelines to their national and

facilitate the provision of basic services. The Guidelines

local contexts and will develop and implement national

have also been designed as a universal framework, a

guidelines reflecting their own institutional set-ups

reference document integrating the three dimensions

and capacities, and addressing their specific urban

of urban policy principles (why plan?), management

and territorial challenges. In addition, the Guidelines

processes (how to plan) and technical products (what

will be an efficient compass and monitoring tool for

urban and territorial plans?). The Guidelines will also

national and local governments in order to pursue

promote cooperation and the exchange of experience

sustainable planning and appropriate implementation,

between Governments, local authorities and other

with reference to the core principles set out in the

partners, taking into account respective national

Guidelines.

realities.

Approved by the Governing Council in resolution 21/3 of 20

April 2007.

Approved by the Governing Council in resolution 22/8 of 3

April 2009.

The future we want, General Assembly resolution 66/288,

annex, paragraph 135.

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

D. Preparatory Process
As a follow-up to resolution 24/3, UN-Habitat

the World Urban Forum in April 2014; the first ever

established a group of experts to advise the

integration segment on sustainable urbanization

secretariat on the structure, content and wording

of the Economic and Social Council (EcoSoc) held

of the Guidelines. The group was geographically

on 29 May 2014 in New York; the fifth Asia Pacific

balanced to reflect experience and practice in every

Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban

region of the world. Participants were nominated

Development (APMCHUD 5), held from 3 to 5

by their respective Governments and key partners;

November 2014 in Seoul, the second session of

in particular they represented local authorities

Preparatory Committee for the third United Nations

(United Cities and Local Governments, UCLG) and

Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban

associations of professional planners (International

Development (Habitat III) and the twenty-fifth session

Society of City and Regional Planners, ISOCARP).

of the Governing Council, held back-to-back in

International organizations, such as the World Bank,

Nairobi from 14 to 23 April 2015.

the United Nations Centre for Regional Development

(UNCRD) and the Organization for Economic

The Guidelines were approved by the Governing

Cooperation and Development (OECD), were also

Council in resolution 25/6 of 23 April 2015, which

consulted.

calls upon international financial institutions,

development agencies, and UN-Habitat to assist

Three expert group meetings were held. The first

interested member States in using and adapting the

was held in Paris on 24 and 25 October 2013. The

Guidelines to their territorial and national contexts,

participants adopted a structure and produced an

where appropriate, and further developing tools

initial draft of the Guidelines. The second meeting

and monitoring indicators. In line with the spirit of

was held in Medellin, Colombia, in conjunction with

this Resolution, case studies have been developed

the seventh session of the World Urban Forum,

and inspiring practices documented to illustrate the

on 10 April 2014. It incorporated more country

conditions, challenges and benefits of effective urban

experience, addressed divergent views that had

and territorial planning approaches4. Additional tools

emerged after the first meeting and introduced

should be designed to support the application process,

documented lessons into the revised draft of the

which would have to be monitored and documented,

Guidelines. A further draft of the Guidelines was

and could feed back into the biennial work

produced and it was agreed that the Guidelines

programme of UN-Habitat. Governments and partners

would be complemented by a compendium of good

will be invited to provide direct feedback to UN-Habitat

practices. The third and final expert group meeting

on the implementation of the Guidelines.

was held in Fukuoka, Japan, on 11 and 12 November

2014. At that meeting, the Guidelines were finalized

The preparation of the Guidelines ran concurrently

for submission to the twenty-fifth session of the

with the elaboration of the Post-2015 Development

Governing Council.

Atgenda, scheduled to be concluded in September

2015, the preparatory process for the twenty-

Special consultations with UN Habitat regional

first session of the Conference of the Parties to

offices, United Nations agencies and other partner

groups were also initiated, amongst others, during:

See "Compendium of Inspiring Practices" in the Read More

page of this document

6 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

the United Nations Framework Convention on

It should be emphasized that the recommendations

Climate Change (COP 21), scheduled to take

are of a general nature and intended to be a

place in December 2015, and the Habitat III

source of inspiration when reviewing, developing

Conferencescheduled to take place in October

and implementing urban and territorial planning

2016. As appropriate, the substance of the

frameworks. National Governments, local

Guidelines could therefore inform and contribute

authorities, civil society organizations and their

to the outcome documents of those processes.

associations, planning professionals and their

associations could consider adapting the Guidelines

The following section contains the Guidelines

to national and local contexts.

on urban and territorial planning. The structure

is derived from the accepted way of unpacking

Further, international financial institutions and the

the sustainable development agenda by United

international community, as part of their official

Nations bodies. It is organized into two sections

development assistance commitments, should

reflecting the interrelated dimensions of that

devote more attention to urban issues, including

agenda, namely, the governance, social, economic

urban and territorial planning, through increased

and environmental aspects of urban and territorial

financial and technical support to South-South,

planning, followed by two sections on urban

North-South and triangular cooperation, the

and territorial planning components and their

documentation and sharing of experience and

monitoring and implementation. Each section starts

practices and the development of capacities at all

with key underlying principles, followed by a series

levels.

of action-oriented recommendations.

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

II

INTERNATIONAL
Guidelines ON URBAN AND
TERRITORIAL PLANNING

A
Urban Policy and
Governance

Public space in Medellin, Colombia Flickr/Eduardo F.

1. Principles:
(a)

Urban and territorial planning is more than

a technical tool, it is an integrative and
participatory decision-making process
that addresses competing interests and
is linked to a shared vision, an overall
development strategy and national, regional
and local urban policies;

(b)

Urban and territorial planning represents

a core component of the renewed urban
governance paradigm, which promotes local
democracy, participation and inclusion,
transparency and accountability, with a
view to ensuring sustainable urbanization
and spatial quality.

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

2.

National Governments, in cooperation

(iii)

Links and coordinates urban,

with other spheres of government and

metropolitan, regional and national

relevant partners, should:

plans and ensures coherence between

the sectoral and spatial levels of

(a)

Formulate a national urban and territorial

intervention, based on the principle

policy framework that promotes sustainable

of subsidiarity, with appropriate

urbanization patterns, including an

arrangements for combining bottom-

adequate standard of living for current and

up and top-down approaches;

future residents, economic growth and

environmental protection, a balanced system

(iv)

Establishes general rules and

of cities and other human settlements and

mechanisms for coordinated inter-

clear land rights and obligations for all

municipal urban and territorial planning

citizens, including land tenure security for

and management;

the poor, as a basis for urban and territorial

planning at all levels. In return, urban

(v)

Formally confirms partnership and

and territorial planning will be a vehicle

public participation as key policy

for translating that policy into plans and

principles, involves the public (both

actions and for providing feedback for policy

women and men), civil society

adjustments;

organizations and representatives of

the private sector in urban planning

(b)

Develop an enabling legal and institutional

activities, ensures that planners play

framework for urban and territorial planning

an active and supportive role in the

that:

implementation of these principles and

sets up broad consultative mechanisms

(i)

Ensures that economic planning

and forums to foster policy dialogue on

instruments and cycles and national

urban development issues;

sectoral policies, are taken into account

in the preparation of urban and

(vi)

Contributes to the regulation of

territorial plans and, reciprocally, that

land and property markets and the

the crucial economic role of cities and

protection of the built and natural

territories is reflected well in national

environment;

planning exercises;
(vii) Allows the development of new
(ii)

Acknowledges the different regional,

regulatory frameworks to facilitate the

urban and local situations and the need

iterative and interactive implementation

for spatially coherent territories and

and revision of urban and territorial

balanced regional development;

plans;

10 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

(viii) Provides a level playing field for all

of professional planners, research institutes

stakeholders in order to promote

and civil society to develop an observatory

investment and transparency, respect

on urban planning approaches, patterns and

for the rule of law and mitigate

practices (orother similar arrangements) that

corruption;

could document, evaluate and synthesize

country experience, undertake and share case

(c)

Define, implement and monitor

studies, make information available to the

decentralization and subsidiarity policies and

general public and provide assistance to local

strengthen the role, responsibilities, planning

authorities on request.

capacities and resources of local authorities

in line with the international guidelines on

(d)

3.

Local authorities, in cooperation with

decentralisation and the strengthening of

other spheres of government and relevant

local authorities;

partners, should:

Promote inter-municipal cooperation

(a)

Provide political leadership for the

frameworks and articulated multilevel

development of urban and territorial plans,

governance systems and support the

ensuring articulation and coordination with

establishment of inter-municipal and

sectoral plans and other spatial plans and

metropolitan institutions, with appropriate

with neighbouring territories, in order to plan

regulatory frameworks and financial

and manage cities at the appropriate scale;

incentives, to ensure urban planning and

management at the appropriate scale and

(b)

Approve, keep under continuous review

and update (for example every 5 or 10

the financing of related projects;

years) urban and territorial plans under their

(e)

jurisdiction;

Submit to their parliaments bills specifying

that plans have to be prepared, approved
and updated under the leadership of

(f)

(c)

Integrate service provision processes with

local authorities and aligned with policies

planning and engage in inter-municipal and

developed by other spheres of government,

multilevel cooperation for the development

as appropriate, before becoming legally

and financing of housing, infrastructure and

binding documents;

services;

Strengthen and empower local authorities to

(d)

Associate urban planning and city

ensure that planning rules and regulations

management with a view to linking upstream

are implemented and functionally effective;

planning and downstream implementation

and ensuring consistency between long-term

(g)

Collaborate with associations and networks

objectives and programmes and short-term

managerial activities and sectoral projects;

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

(e)

Effectively supervise professionals and

taken into consideration and responded to

private companies contracted for urban

throughout the planning process.

11

and territorial planning preparation, in

order to ensure the alignment of plans with

4.

Civil society organizations and their

associations should:

(a)

Participate in the preparation,

local political visions, national policies and

international principles;
(f)

(g)

Ensure that urban regulations are

implementation and monitoring of urban

implemented and functionally effective and

and territorial plans, help local authorities

take action to avoid unlawful developments,

identify needs and priorities and, wherever

with special attention to areas at risk and

possible, exercise their right to be consulted

with historical, environmental or agricultural

in accordance with existing legal frameworks

value;

and international agreements;

Set up multi-stakeholder monitoring,

(b)

Contribute to the mobilization and

evaluation and accountability mechanisms to

representation of populations in public

transparently evaluate the implementation

consultations on urban and territorial

of the plans and provide feedback and

planning, particularly poor people and

information on suitable corrective actions,

vulnerable groups of all ages and gender,

covering both short- and long-term projects

with a view to fostering equitable urban

and programmes;

development, promoting peaceful social

relations and prioritizing the development

(h)

Share their urban and territorial planning

of infrastructure and services in the least

experience, engage in city-to-city cooperation

developed urban areas;

to promote policy dialogue and capacity

development and involve local government

(c)

Make space for, encourage and enable all

associations in policy and planning at

sectors of society, particularly poor people

national and local levels;

and vulnerable groups of all ages and

gender, to engage in community forums and

(i)

Facilitate the effective and equitable

community planning initiatives and to partner

involvement of urban stakeholders,

with local authorities in neighbourhood

particularly communities, civil society

improvement programmes;

organizations and the private sector, in urban

and territorial planning preparation and

(d)

Raise public awareness and mobilize public

implementation by setting up appropriate

opinion to prevent illegal and speculative

participatory mechanisms, and engage civil

urban developments, particularly those that

society representatives, particularly women

could endanger the natural environment or

and youth, in implementation, monitoring

displace low-income and vulnerable groups;

and evaluation to ensure that their needs are

12 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

(e)

5.

Contribute to ensuring continuity in the long-

(c)

Promote the application of the Guidelines

term objectives of urban and territorial plans,

and advise decision makers to adopt them

even in times of political change or short-

and, whenever necessary, adapt them to

term impediments.

national, regional and local situations;

Planning professionals and their

associations should:

(d)

Contribute to the advancement of researchbased knowledge on urban and territorial

planning and organize seminars and

(a)

Facilitate urban and territorial planning

consultative forums to raise public awareness

processes by contributing their expertise

of the recommendations in the Guidelines;

during all preparatory and updating stages

and mobilizing the groups of stakeholders
concerned for their views;

(e)

Collaborate with institutions of learning and

training to review and develop university and
professional curricula on urban and territorial

(b)

Play an active role in advocating for more

planning, in order to introduce the content of

inclusive and equitable development, ensured

the Guidelines into those curricula, with the

not only by widespread public participation

necessary adaptation and further elaboration,

in planning but also through the content of

and contribute to capacity development

planning instruments such as plans, designs,

programmes.

regulations, by-laws and rules;

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

13

B
Urban and
Territorial Planning
for Sustainable
Development
Pedestrians in Tokyo, Japan Shutterstock/Thomas La Mela

Urban and territorial planning can contribute to

sustainable development in various ways. It should
be closely associated with the three complementary
dimensions of sustainable development: social
development and inclusion, sustained economic
growth and environmental protection and
management.
Integration of those three dimensions in a
synergetic way requires political commitment and
the involvement of all stakeholders, who should
participate in urban and territorial planning processes.
The recommendations on the expected roles of civil
society organizations and planning professionals and
their respective associations, as outlined in paragraphs
4 and 5 above, also apply to section B and are
therefore not repeated below.

14 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

B1
Urban and
Territorial Planning
and Social
Development
Market place at Onitsha, Nigeria UN-Habitat/Alessandro Scotti

6. Principles:
(a)

Urban and territorial planning primarily

aims to realize adequate standards of
living and working conditions for all
segments of current and future societies,
ensure equitable distribution of the
costs, opportunities and benefits of urban
development and particularly promote social
inclusion and cohesion;

(b)

Urban and territorial planning constitutes

an essential investment in the future. It is
a precondition for a better quality of life
and successful globalization processes that
respect cultural heritages and cultural
diversity, and for the recognition of the
distinct needs of various groups.

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

7.

(a)

National Governments, in cooperation

(i)

15

A clear, phased and prioritized spatial

with other spheres of government and

framework for the provision of basic

relevant partners, should:

services for all;

Monitor the evolution of housing and living

(ii)

conditions in cities and territories and support

A strategic guide and physical maps

the planning efforts of local authorities and

for land, housing development and

communities aiming to improve social and

transport, with special attention paid

territorial cohesion and inclusion;

to the current and anticipated needs

of low-income and socially vulnerable

(b)

Contribute to the elaboration and

groups;

implementation of poverty reduction

(iii)

strategies, support job creation, promote

Instruments to support the realization

of human rights in cities and towns;

decent work for all and address the specific

needs of vulnerable groups, including
(iv)

migrants and displaced people;

Regulations that encourage social

mixing and mixed land use, with a view

(c)

Contribute to the establishment of progres-

to offering an attractive and affordable

sive housing finance systems to make land,

spectrum of services, housing and

serviced plots and housing affordable for all;

working opportunities for a wide range

of the population;

(d)

Provide appropriate fiscal incentives and

targeted subsidies and enhance local fiscal

(b)

Promote social and spatial integration and

capacities to empower local authorities and

inclusion, particularly through improved

to ensure that urban and territorial planning

access to all parts of the city and territory, as

contributes to redressing social inequalities

every inhabitant (including migrant workers

and promoting cultural diversity;

and displaced people) should have the

ability to enjoy the city, its socioeconomic

(e)

Promote the integration of the identification,

opportunities, urban services and public

safeguarding and development of the cultural

spaces, and to contribute to its social and

and natural heritage in urban and territorial

cultural life;

planning processes.
(c)

8.

Provide good quality public spaces, improve

Local authorities, in cooperation with

and revitalize existing public spaces, such

other spheres of government and relevant

as squares, streets, green areas and sports

partners, should:

complexes, and make them safer, in line with

the needs and perspectives of women, men,

(a)

Design and promote urban and territorial

girls and boys, and fully accessible to all.

plans encompassing:

It should be taken into account that those

places constitute an indispensable platform

16 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

for vibrant and inclusive city life and are a

(h)

basis for infrastructure development;

Improve urban safety, particularly for women,

youth, the elderly, the disabled and any
vulnerable groups, as a factor of security,

(d)

Ensure that low-income areas, informal

justice and social cohesion;

settlements and slums are upgraded and

integrated into the urban fabric with

(i)

Promote and ensure gender equality in the

the minimum disruption of livelihoods,

design, production and use of urban spaces

displacements and relocations. Affected

and services by identifying the specific needs

groups should be compensated at the

of women and men, girls and boys;

appropriate level when disruption is

unavoidable;

(j)

Ensure that actions affecting land and

property markets do not diminish affordability

(e)

Ensure every inhabitant has access to safe

in a way that is detrimental to low-income

and affordable drinking water and adequate

households and small businesses;

sanitation services;
(k)
(f)

Encourage cultural activities, both indoor

Facilitate land tenure security and access to

(museums, theatres, cinemas, concert

control over land and property, as well as

halls, etc.) and outdoor (street arts,

access to finance for low-income households;

musical parades, etc.), recognizing that

the development of urban cultures and

(g)

Reduce commuting time between living,

respect for social diversity are part of social

working and service areas by promoting

development and have important spatial

mixed land use and safe, comfortable,

dimensions;

affordable and reliable transport systems, and

by considering variations in land and housing

(l)

Protect and value the cultural heritage,

prices in different locations and the need to

including traditional settlements and historic

promote affordable housing solutions;

districts, religious and historical monuments

and sites, archaeological areas and cultural
landscapes.

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

17

B2
Urban and
Territorial Planning
and Sustained
Economic Growth
Place of United Nations in Casablanca, Morocco Flickr/Hamza Nuino

9. Principles:
(a)

Urban and territorial planning is a catalyst

for sustained and inclusive economic growth,
that provides an enabling framework for

new economic opportunities, regulation

of land and housing markets and the timely
provision of adequate infrastructure and basic
services;
(b)

Urban and territorial planning constitutes

a powerful decision-making mechanism to
ensure that sustained economic growth,
social development and environmental
sustainability go hand in hand to promote

better connectivity at all territorial

levels.

18 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

10. National Governments, in cooperation

(a)

geographical constraints and opportunities

with other spheres of government and

and aims to improve connectivity between

relevant partners, should:

territorial entities and economic actors.

Plan and support the development of

11. Local authorities, in cooperation with

connected polycentric urban regions, through

other spheres of government and relevant

appropriate clustering of industries, services

partners, should:

and educational institutions, as a strategy

to increase specialization, complementarity,

(a)

Recognize that a major role of urban

synergies and economies of scale and

and territorial planning is to constitute

agglomeration among neighbouring cities

the mandatory basis for efficient trunk

and with their rural hinterland;

infrastructure development, improved

mobility and the promotion of structuring

(b)

urban nodes;

Engage in dynamic partnerships, including

with the private sector, to ensure that urban
and territorial planning coordinates the

(b)

Ensure that urban and territorial planning

spatial location and distribution of economic

creates favourable conditions to develop safe

activities, building on economies of scale and

and reliable mass transit and freight transport

agglomeration, proximity and connectivity,

systems, while minimizing the use of

thus contributing to increased productivity,

individual vehicles in order to facilitate urban

competiveness and prosperity;

mobility in an energy-efficient and affordable

way;

(c)

Support inter-municipal cooperation to

ensure optimum mobilization and sustainable

(c)

Ensure that urban and territorial planning

use of resources and prevent unhealthy

contributes to increased, balanced and

competition among local authorities;

affordable access to digital infrastructure and

services for economic actors and inhabitants,

(d)

Formulate a local economic development

and to the development of knowledge-based

policy framework which would mainstream

cities and territories;

the key concepts of local economic

development on fostering individual and

(d)

Include in urban and territorial planning a

private initiatives to expand or regenerate

clear and detailed component on investment

the local economy and increase employment

planning, including expected contributions

opportunities in urban and territorial planning

by the public and private sectors to cover

processes;

capital, operation and maintenance costs

with the view to mobilizing appropriate

(e)

Formulate an information and

resources (local taxes, endogenous income,

communications technology policy

reliable transfer mechanisms, etc.);

framework that takes into account

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

(e)

Take advantage of urban and territorial

(g)

19

Use urban and territorial planning to secure

planning and associated progressive zoning

adequate space for streets, in order to

regulations, such as form-based code or

develop a safe, comfortable and efficient

performance-based zoning, to manage land

street network, allowing a high degree of

markets, enable a market for development

connectivity and encouraging non-motorized

rights and mobilize urban finance, including

transport, in order to enhance economic

through land-based financing, and recover

productivity and facilitate local economic

part of the public investment in urban

development;

infrastructure and services;

(h)
(f)

Use urban and territorial planning to design

Make use of urban and territorial

neighbourhoods of adequate density

planning to guide and support local

through infill or planned extension strategies

economic development, in particular

to trigger economies of scale, reduce travel

employment generation, in local community

needs and the costs of service provision,

organizations, cooperatives, small businesses

and enable a cost-effective public transport

and microenterprises and the spatial

system.

agglomeration of appropriate industries and

services;

20 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

B3
Urban and
Territorial Planning
and the
Environment
Aerial view of Shenzhen, China Flickr/Yuan2003

12. Principles:
(a)

Urban and territorial planning provides

a spatial framework to protect
and manage the natural and built
environment of cities and territories,
including their biodiversity, land and natural
resources, and to ensure integrated and
sustainable development;

(b)

Urban and territorial planning contributes to

increased human security by strengthening
environmental and socioeconomic resilience,
enhancing mitigation of, and adaptation
to, climate change and improving the
management of natural and environmental
hazards and risks.

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

13. National Governments, in cooperation

21

consumption of fossil fuel and promoting

with other spheres of government and

appropriate energy mixes, as well as energy

relevant partners, should:

efficiency in buildings, industries and

multimodal transport services.

(a)

Set standards and regulations for the

protection of water, air and other natural

14. Local authorities, in cooperation with

resources, agricultural land, green open

other spheres of government and relevant

spaces, ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots

partners, should:

and their sustainable management;

(a)
(b)

Formulate urban and territorial plans as

Promote urban and territorial planning,

a mitigation and adaptation framework

improve urban-rural complementarities and

in response to climate change and

food security, strengthen inter-city relations

for increasing the resilience of human

and synergies and link urban planning to

settlements, especially those located in

regional development to ensure territorial

vulnerable and informal areas;

cohesion at city-region level, including in

cross-border regions;

(b)

Set up and adopt efficient low-carbon

urban forms and development patterns as a

(c)

Promote environmental impact assessments

contribution to improving energy efficiency

through the elaboration and dissemination

and increasing the access and use of

of appropriate tools and methods and

renewable energy sources;

the adoption of incentives and regulatory

measures;

(c)

Locate essential urban services, infrastructure

and residential developments in low-risk

(d)

Promote compact cities, regulate and

areas and resettle, in a participatory and

control urban sprawl, develop progressive

voluntary way people living in high-risk areas

densification strategies combined with land

to more appropriate locations;

market regulations, optimize the use of

urban space, reduce the cost of infrastructure

(d)

Assess the implications and potential impacts

and the demand for transport, and limit

of climate change and prepare for the

the footprint of urban areas, in order to

continuity of key urban functions during

effectively address the challenges of climate

disasters or crises;

change;
(e)
(e)

Use urban and territorial planning as an

Ensure that urban and territorial plans

action plan to improve access to water and

address the need to develop sustainable

sanitation services and reduce air pollution

energy services, with a view to improving

and the amount of water wasted;

access to clean energy, reducing the

22 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

(f)

Apply urban and territorial planning to

(i)

Collaborate with service providers, land

identify, revitalize, protect and produce

developers and landowners to closely link

highquality public and green spaces

spatial and sectoral planning and to promote

with special ecological or heritage value,

intersectoral coordination and synergies

integrating the contributions of the private

between services such as water, sewerage

sector and civil society organizations into

and sanitation, energy and electricity,

such undertakings, and to avoid the creation

telecommunications and transport;

of heat islands, protect the local biodiversity

and support the creation of multifunctional

(j)

Promote the construction, retrofitting and

public green spaces, such as wetlands for

management of green buildings through

rainwater retention and absorption;

incentives and disincentives, and monitor

their economic impacts;

(g)

Identify and recognize the value of declining

built environments with a view to revitalizing

(k)

Design streets that encourage walking, the

them, taking advantage of their assets and

use of non-motorized transport and public

strengthening their social identity;

transport, and plant trees for shade and

carbon dioxide absorption.

(h)

Integrate solid and liquid waste management

and recycling into spatial planning, including
the location of landfills and recycling sites;

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

23

C
Urban and
Territorial
Planning
Components
Pedestrian street in Moscow, Russia Flickr/Stary Arbat

15. Principles:
(a)

Urban and territorial planning combines

several spatial, institutional and financial
dimensions over a variety of time frames
and geographical scales. It is a continuous
and iterative process, grounded in
enforceable regulations, that aims
to promote more compact cities and
synergies between territories;

(b)

Urban and territorial planning includes

spatial planning, which aims to facilitate
and articulate political decisions based
on different scenarios. It translates those
decisions into actions that will transform the
physical and social space and will support
the development of integrated cities and
territories.

24 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

16. National Governments, in cooperation

(e)

Support the development of planning

with other spheres of government and

agencies that are properly structured,

relevant partners, should:

adequately resourced and that undergo

continuous skills development;

(a)

Promote the use of spatial planning as a

facilitating and flexible mechanism rather

(f)

Establish effective financial and fiscal

than as a rigid blueprint. Spatial plans should

frameworks in support of urban and

be elaborated in a participatory way and their

territorial planning implementation at the

various versions made accessible and user-

local level.

friendly, so that they are easily understood by

the population at large;

17. Local authorities, in cooperation with

other spheres of government and relevant

(b)

partners, should:

Raise public awareness of and strengthen

capacities on the concept of urban and
territorial planning, emphasizing that it must

(a)

Develop a shared strategic spatial vision

be understood both as a product (the plans

(supported by adequate maps) and a set

and associated rules and regulations) and

of consensual objectives, reflecting a clear

a process (the mechanisms to elaborate,

political will;

update and implement the plans) at different

geographical scales;

(b)

Elaborate and articulate urban and

territorial plans that include multiple spatial

(c)

Establish and maintain information

components such as:

databases, registers and mapping systems on

population, land, environmental resources,

(i)

A set of development scenarios,

infrastructure, services and related needs,

based on a thorough analysis of

as a basis for the preparation and revision

demographic, social, economic and

of spatial plans and regulations. Those

environmental trends, that take into

systems should combine the use of local

account the critical linkages between

knowledge and modern information and

land use and transport;

communications technologies and allow for

regional and city-specific disaggregation;

(ii)

A clear prioritization and phasing

of desired and achievable spatial

(d)

Put in place general phasing, updating,

outcomes along adequate time lines

monitoring and evaluation systems applicable

and based on appropriate feasibility

to urban and territorial plans, possibly

studies;

through legislative action. Performance

indicators and stakeholder participation
should be an essential part of those systems;

(iii)

Spatial plans that reflect the scale of

projected urban growth and address it

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

through planned city extensions, urban

(ii)

25

Infrastructure planning deals, inter alia,

infill and redevelopment for adequate

with trunk networks and arterial grids,

density, and through the structuring

road and street connectivity, traffic

of well-connected systems of liveable

regulations and mobility incentives,

streets and high-quality public spaces;

digital communications, relations with

basic services and risk mitigation;

(iv)

Spatial plans that have environmental

conditions as their base, that prioritize

(iii)

The institutional and financial

the protection of ecologically valuable

components of urban and territorial

areas and disaster-prone areas and

planning are closely interrelated

that focus particularly on mixed

and appropriate implementation

land use, urban morphology and

mechanisms, such as participatory

structure, mobility and infrastructure

budgeting, public-private partnerships

development, leaving room for

and multilevel financing schemes, are

flexibility to address unforeseen

established for that purpose;

evolutions;
(iv)
(c)

(d)

Existing urban forms and morphology

Set up institutional arrangements,

are fully taken into account in urban

participation and partnership frameworks

extension, upgrading, renewal and

and stakeholder agreements;

revitalization programmes.

Create a knowledge base to inform the urban

and territorial planning process and to allow

18. Civil society organizations and their

associations should:

the rigorous monitoring and evaluation of

proposals, plans and outcomes;

(a)

Participate in the development of the overall

spatial vision and the prioritization of projects

(e)

Design a human resource development

that should result from a participatory

strategy to strengthen local capacities, to be

process involving consultations between all

supported by other spheres of government,

relevant stakeholders and driven by those

as appropriate;

public authorities which are closest to the

public;

(f)

Ensure in particular that:

(b)
(i)

Advocate for land-use planning and

Land-use and infrastructure planning

regulations that promote, inter alia, social

and implementation are geographically

and spatial inclusiveness, security of tenure

associated and coordinated, as

for poor people, affordability, appropriate

infrastructure requires land for its

densification, mixed use of land and related

development and has a direct impact

zoning rules, sufficient and accessible public

on land values;

26 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

spaces, protection of critical agricultural

(c)

land and cultural heritage and progressive

Identify and ensure synergies among stages,

sectors and scales of planning;

measures related to land tenure, land

registration systems, land transactions and

(d)

land-based financing.

Advocate for innovative solutions to promote

compact cities and integrated territories and
solutions to the challenges of urban poverty

19. Planning professionals and their

associations should:

and slums, climate change and disaster

resilience, waste management and other
existing or emerging urban issues;

(a)

Develop new tools and transfer knowledge

across borders and sectors that promote

(e)

Supporttheempowerment of vulnerable

integrative, participatory and strategic

and disadvantaged groups and indigenous

planning;

peoples. Buildand advocate forevidencebased approaches toplanning.

(b)

Translate forecasts and projections into

planning alternatives and scenarios to enable
political decisions;

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

27

D
Implementation
and Monitoring
of Urban and
Territorial Planning
Street in New York, USA Flickr/Stefan Georgi

20. Principles:
(a)

Adequate implementation of urban and

territorial plans in all their dimensions requires
political leadership, appropriate legal and
institutional frameworks, efficient urban
management, improved coordination,
consensus-building approaches and
reduced duplication of efforts to respond
coherently and effectively to current and
future challenges;

(b)

Effective implementation and evaluation

of urban and territorial planning requires,
in particular, continuous monitoring,
periodic adjustments and sufficient
capacities at all levels, as well as sustainable
financial mechanisms and technologies.

28 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

21. National Governments, in cooperation

urban planning professionals, civil society

with other spheres of government and

organizations and the media;

relevant partners, should:

(g)
(a)

(b)

Encourage cross-fertilization of city

Keep legislation and regulations, as essential

experience, including through city-to-

implementation tools, under periodic and

city cooperation, as an important way of

critical review to ensure that they are practical

improving planning, implementation and

and easily enforceable;

urban management practices;

Ensure all inhabitants, land and real estate

(h)

Develop and set up robust monitoring,

developers and service providers respect the

evaluation and accountability systems on

rule of law;

urban and territorial planning, combining

quantitative and qualitative information and

(c)

Promote mechanisms for accountability and

analyses, based on indicators designed to

conflict resolution among implementing

track progress in both processes and products

partners;

and open to public scrutiny. International

exchanges of lessons learnt should build on

(d)

Assess the implementation of urban and

those national and local systems;

territorial plans and provide financial and

fiscal incentives and technical support to

(i)

Promote environmentally sound technologies,

local authorities, particularly to address

geospatial technologies for data collection,

infrastructure deficits;

information and communications

technologies, street addressing, land

(e)

Encourage institutions of learning and

registration and property recording systems,

training in urban and territorial planning to

as well as networking and knowledge

be involved in the implementation of plans,

sharing to support technically and socially the

to enhance the level of higher education in

implementation of urban and territorial plans.

all planning-related disciplines and to provide

on-the-job training for urban planning

22. Local authorities, in cooperation with

other spheres of government and relevant

professionals and urban managers;

partners, should:
(f)

Promote monitoring and reporting on urban

and territorial planning implementation

(a)

Adopt an efficient and transparent

stages, adjustments and challenges, as

institutional set-up to clarify leadership and

well as open and free access to urban and

partnership functions for the implementation

territorial data and statistics, as integral

of each particular activity defined in the

to a democratic policy that should involve

urban and territorial plan and coordinate

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

(b)

responsibilities (both sectoral and

and territorial planning, periodically

geographical), including at the

assess progress and make strategic

inter-municipal level;

recommendations;

Select realistic financial scenarios that encour-

(g)

29

Reinforce institutional and human capacity

age incremental and phased planning and

development at the local level in the areas

specify all expected sources of investment

of planning, design, management and

(budgetary or extrabudgetary, public or pri-

monitoring, through training, exchanges

vate, others) as well as resource generation

of experience and expertise, knowledge

and cost-recovery mechanisms (grants, loans,

transfers and organizational reviews;

subsidies, donations, user charges, landbased rates, taxes) to ensure both financial

(h)

sustainability and social affordability;

Support public information, education and

community mobilization at all stages of the
implementation process, involving civil society

(c)

Ensure that the allocation of public

organizations in the design, monitoring,

resources from all levels of government is

evaluation and iterative adjustments of the

commensurate with the needs identified in

plans.

the plans and is programmed to leverage

other resources;
(d)

23. Civil society organizations and their

associations should:

Ensure that innovative sources of finance

are explored and tested, evaluated and

(a)

Contribute actively to the implementation

of the plans by mobilizing the communities

disseminated, as appropriate;

concerned, liaising with partner groups and

(e)

Mobilize in good time private investment

voicing the concerns of the public, including

and public-private partnerships that are

the urban poor, in relevant committees and

transparent, within an appropriate legal

other institutional arrangements;

framework as specified in the international

guidelines on access to basic services for all;

(b)

Provide feedback to the authorities on

challenges and opportunities that may

(f)

Establish and support multi-partner

emerge in the implementation phases and

committees, involving, in particular, the

recommend necessary adjustments and

private and community sectors, to follow

corrective measures.

up on the implementation of urban

30 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

24. Planning professionals and their

associations should:

(c)

Undertake on-the-job training and applied

research associated with the implementation
of the plans, with a view to learning

(a)

Provide technical assistance for the

from practical experience and providing

implementation of different types of plans

substantive feedback to decision-makers;

and support the collection, analysis, use,

sharing and dissemination of spatial data;

(d)

Document planning models which

could be used for educational purposes,

(b)

Design and organize training sessions for

awarenessraising and the broad mobilization

policymakers and local leaders to sensitize

of the public.

them to urban and territorial planning issues,

particularly the need for continuous and
long-term implementation and accountability;

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

31

Annex: Resolution 25/6

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning
The Governing Council,

held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to 22

June 2012, entitled The future we want,2 and

Recalling its resolution 24/3 of 19 April 2013 on

reaffirming its commitment to promoting an

inclusive and sustainable urban planning and

integrated approach to planning and building

elaboration of international guidelines on urban

sustainable cities and urban settlements, including

and territorial planning, in which the Council

by supporting local authorities, increasing public

requested the Executive Director of the United

awareness and enhancing the participation of

Nations Human Settlements Programme, in

urban residents, including the poor, in decision-

consultation with the Committee of Permanent

making,

Representatives, to initiate the elaboration of

international guidelines on urban and territorial

Acknowledging the coherence and

planning that would provide a non-binding global

complementarity between the international

framework for use as appropriate in improving

guidelines on access to basic services for all,

policies, plans and designs for more compact,

adopted by its resolution 22/8 of 3 April 2009, the

socially inclusive, sustainable, better integrated and

international guidelines on decentralization and

connected cities and territories and to present the

the strengthening of local authorities, adopted

draft guidelines to the Governing Council at its

by its resolution 21/3 of 20 April 2007, and the

twenty-fifth session for approval,

international guidelines on urban and territorial

planning,

Having considered the report of the Executive

Director,1 highlighting the progress in developing

Taking note of the note by the secretariat entitled

the international guidelines on urban and territorial

International guidelines on urban and territorial

planning,

planning: towards a compendium of inspiring

practices,3 and noting lessons learned from

Recalling General Assembly resolution 67/216

diverse contexts and planning scales that have

of 17 December 2012 on the implementation of

informed the development of the international

the outcome of the United Nations Conference

guidelines on urban and territorial planning,

on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and the

strengthening of the United Nations Human

Noting with appreciation the financial contribution

Settlements Programme,

of the Governments of France and Japan to

support the process of consultation and drafting of

Recalling also the outcome document of the United

the international guidelines on urban and territorial

Nations Conference on Sustainable Development,

planning,

General Assembly resolution 66/288, annex.

HSP/GC/25/INF/7.

HSP/GC/25/2/Add.6.

32 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

Expressing appreciation for the leading role of the

to their territorial and national contexts, where

United Nations Human Settlements Programme and

appropriate, and further developing tools and

the contribution of the Committee of Permanent

monitoring indicators as part of their support for the

Representatives, the regional offices of the

implementation of the guidelines;

Programme, experts nominated by member States

and international associations of local authorities,

5. Requests the Executive Director to develop

which have contributed through an inclusive

partnerships with other United Nations bodies,

consultative process of drafting and developing the

regional economic commissions, development

international guidelines on urban and territorial

banks, member States, local authorities and their

planning,

associations, relevant international professional

associations and non-governmental organizations

1. Approves the international guidelines on urban

and other Habitat Agenda partners, to support

and territorial planning set out in section II of the

the adaptation and use of the guidelines to local,

report of the Executive Director19 as a valuable

national and regional circumstances, including

guide that may be used towards the achievement of

through capacity and tool development;

sustainable development;
6. Encourages member States and partners to
2. Encourages member States, according to

support the future work of the UnitedNations

their circumstances, needs and priorities and as

Human Settlements Programme with all levels of

appropriate, to consider urban and territorial

government on urban and territorial planning,

planning principles outlined in the guidelines while

especially in promoting the use of the guidelines on

developing, reviewing and implementing their

urban and territorial planning;

national urban policies and urban and territorial

planning frameworks;

7. Requests the Executive Director, in close

consultation with member States and other relevant

3. Also encourages member States to continue

stakeholders, to report on the progress made in the

to engage with local authorities and other

implementation of the present resolution to the

stakeholders, including from civil society, towards

Governing Council at its twenty-sixth session.

the promotion and further refinement of their urban

and territorial planning principles;
4. Calls upon international financial institutions
and development agencies, and requests the
Executive Director, within the strategic plan and
biennial work programme, to assist interested
member States in using and adapting the guidelines

Read more...
3

HABITAT III ISSUE PAPERS

8 URBAN AND SPATIAL PLANNING
AND DESIGN

INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES ON
URBAN AND TERRITORIAL PLANNING

The Evolution of

Towards a Compendium of Inspiring Practices

National
Urban
Policies

Planned City Extensions:

Analysis of Historical Examples

New York, 31 May 2015

(not edited version)

A Global Overview

7
URBAN PATTERNS FOR
A GREEN ECONOMY
CLUSTERING FOR
COMPETITIVENESS

International Guidelines
on Decentralisation
and Access to Basic
Services for all

URBAN PATTERNS FOR

A GREEN ECONOMY
LEVERAGING
DENSITY

UNITED NATION
SH
UM
AN
SE
T

Urban Planning
for City Leaders
URBAN PATTERNS FOR
A GREEN ECONOMY
OPTIMIZING
INFRASTRUCTURE

ME
GRAM
PRO
TS
EN
EM
TL

URBAN PATTERNS FOR

A GREEN ECONOMY
WORKING WITH
NATURE

1. International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning: Towards a Compendium of

Inspiring Practices (2015)

This document comprises a sample of 26 international experiences in urban and territorial planning
that have been developed by the Guidelines Expert Group and its associated networks. It provides
a cross section of inventive, ambitious and unique cases that address common issues of urban and
territorial development and highlights successful examples of how urban and territorial planning can
reshape countries and regions towards more sustainable development.

2. Habitat III Issue Paper 8 - Urban and Spatial Planning and Design (2015)
3. Planned City Extensions: analysis of historical examples (2015)
4. Evolution of National Urban Policies: a Global Overview (2014)
5. Urban Planning for City Leaders (2013)
6. Urban Patterns for a Green Economy: (2012)
a) Clustering for Competitiveness

b) Optimizing Infrastructure

c) Leveraging Density

d) Working with Nature

7. Global Report on Human Settlements: Planning Sustainable Cities (2009)

8. International Guidelines on Decentralisation and Access to Basic Services for all (2009)
Available for download from the UN-Habitat website at www.unhabitat.org

34 International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning

The need for planning cannot be over-emphasized.

with a global reference framework that promotes

Urbanization is progressing rapidly and by

more compact, socially inclusive, better integrated

2050, seven out of ten people will be living in

and connected cities and territories that foster

cities. Inappropriate policies, plans and designs

sustainable urban development and are resilient to

have led to inadequate spatial distribution of

climate change.

people and activities, resulting in proliferation of

slums, congestion, poor access to basic services,

The International Guidelines on Urban and

environmental degradation, and social inequity and

Territorial Planning include twelve key principles

segregation.

and a series of action-oriented recommendations

that are based on strong evidence, inspiring

The International Guidelines on Urban and

practices and lessons learnt from various regions

Territorial Planning serve both as a source of

and contexts. The Guidelines emphasize the need

inspiration and a compass for decision makers and

for an integrated approach to planning and cover

urban professionals when reviewing urban and

areas of urban policy and governance, sustainable

territorial planning systems. The Guidelines provide

urban development, planning components as well

national governments, local authorities, civil

as implementation and monitoring mechanisms.

society organizations and planning professionals

HS Number: HS/059/15E

United Nations Human Settlements Programme

P.O. Box 30030, Nairobi 00100, KENYA
Telephone: +254-20-7623120, Fax: +254-20-7624266/7
Email: infohabitat@unhabitat.org

www.unhabitat.org