Urban and Territorial Planning

Introduction

Speakers

• 

  Lumanti Shrestha Joshi

  Programme Manager-Housing
  Lumanti
• 

  Azam Khan

  Chief Executive Officer (Actg.), Suva City Council
• 

  Nga Kor Ming

  Minister of Local Government Development
  Malaysia
• 

  Bernadia Tjandradewi
  (Moderator)

  Secretary General
  UCLG ASPAC
• 

  Mia Amalia

  Deputy, Nusantara Capital Authority
  Indonesia
• 

  Jean Todt

  Special Envoy for Road Safety
  United Nations
• 

  Noboru Sekiguchi

  Special Advisor to the Governor on International Affairs Tokyo Metropolitan Governmen

Special interventions

• 

  Clarence Gio Almoite

  Co-convenor
  Asia-Pacific Youth Environment Network (APYEN)
• 

  Pradeep Kumar Jena

  Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha India
• 

  Boutu Bateriki

  Minister of Internal Affairs
  Kiribati

Urban and territorial planning plays a critical role in addressing and mitigating the impacts of multiple crises, including climate change, social inequality and economic instability. 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. This promotes local democracy, participation and inclusion, transparency and accountability to ensure sustainable urbanization and spatial quality. Urban and territorial planning contributes to the creation of resilient and sustainable communities and cities by providing a framework for coordinated action and strategic decision-making at various scales, including supporting:

1. Resilient infrastructure

Facilitating the development of infrastructure that can withstand multiple crises is critical for cities. For example, transportation systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote walkability can also provide reliable access to critical services during extreme weather events. Avoiding locating development in places susceptible to climate change impacts (e.g., flooding, sea level rise and forest fire-prone areas) can also help safeguard infrastructure.

2. Inclusive communities

Creating more inclusive communities by ensuring that all residents have access to essential services and are not disproportionately affected by crises. This includes access to affordable housing without compromising access to economic opportunities, the provision of emergency services, and the development of public spaces that are accessible to all. The creation of inclusive communities also needs to recognize a key demographic shift that Asia Pacific cities are going to face in the next fifty years – the rise of an ageing population. Urban spatial planning takes a key role in ensuring fewer older people living in socio-spatial inequality.

3. Economic development

Creating land use planning regulations such as zoning to support both the informal and formal economy and the growth of businesses and industries, as well as the development of supporting infrastructure and the identification of strategic economic zones.

4. Health and well-being

Supporting health and well-being in cities by promoting access to green spaces, active transportation, access to healthcare services, access to safe, secure and adequate housing and settlements, social infrastructure and reducing noise and air pollution.

5. Sustainable development

Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through supporting and resourcing partnerships with non-state actors, including civil society and community-based/grassroots organizations, promoting compact cities, and encouraging sustainable development practices that support energy transitions and reduce carbon emissions and other environmental impacts, which can, in turn, mitigate the impacts of climate change. This includes the creation of green spaces, improving walkability, adoption of renewable energy sources, promotion of sustainable transportation options, etc.

6. Integration, coordination, collaboration and partnership

Supporting the integration and coherence between national and local urban policies, and facilitating the coordination, collaboration and partnership among diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, academia and private sector actors, to ensure that resources are allocated effectively and responses to crises are coordinated and efficient.

Overall, urban and territorial planning can help communities adapt to and thrive in the face of multiple crises by providing a framework for coordinated action, strategic decision-making and long-term resilience.

Objectives

The session aims to discuss and actively encourage the interplay between spatial planning and multi-level action for the Sustainable Development Goals and New Urban Agenda in addressing social and spatial inequality, climate change impacts, economic development, urban health and well-being in the post-pandemic context. The session will also explore the existing initiatives of partners to respond, recover and facilitate integrated and sustainable spatial development at various governmental and territorial scales and by various stakeholders, as well as identify potential new and innovative solutions.

The high-level panel will bring together different regional solutions, innovative ideas and impactful initiatives that have contributed to more just, green and healthy cities.

Substantive Context

The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and economic crises have had significant impacts on cities and urban areas, affecting social, economic and environmental aspects of urban life and highlighting and exacerbating existing inequalities. Low-income and marginalized communities have been disproportionately affected by these crises, with limited access to resources, online services, health care and social support. These challenges present obstacles and opportunities to successfully integrate spatial planning into sustainable development policies, investments and actions. Spatial planning should be rooted in human rights, take a regional perspective, integrate development with infrastructure, focus on implementation, be informed by budgets, secure political legitimacy, incorporate subsidiary and diversity, and capitalize on the special characteristics of places.

The complementary interconnection between sustainable development and spatial planning can allow cities to make important progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and New Urban Agenda to address multi-pronged crises, simultaneously impacting areas of poverty and social exclusion, food systems, health, territorial cohesion, climate action, mobility, integrated digital transformation, improved private sector involvement and enhanced local employment opportunities.

Co-leading Organizations

Audience Engagements

Based on the recommendations set forth in the Future of Asian-Pacific Cities 2023 report, entitled “Crisis Resilient Urban Futures”, audience were asked to vote on the policy recommendations which will have the greatest impact. The highest voted policy recommendation was ensuring the provision of capacity-building and coordination for effective urban planning and local action. To access the full report, visit https://www.unescap.org/kp/2023/future-asian-and-pacific-cities-2023-crisis-resilient-urban-futures.

Following the panel discussion, the audience are asked to summarize the discussion by highlighting some of the keywords that were shared.

Urban Climate Action

Introduction

Speakers

• 

  Tina Jabeen

  Founding Managing Director and former CEO, Startup Bangladesh Ltd.
• 

  Jason Pu

  Regional Administrator , U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• 

  Hyoeun Jenny Kim

  Ambassador & Deputy Minister for Climate Change
  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea
• 

  Milag San Jose-Ballesteros
  (Moderator)

  Regional Director for East, Southeast Asia and Oceania, and Global South Diversity Lead, C40
• 

  Sevenitini Toumoʻua

  Minister of Infrastructure
  Tonga
• 

  Sheela Patel

  Director, Society for the Promotion Resource Centres (SPARC)
  Mumbai
• 

  Toru Hashimoto

  Director General, International Affairs Bureau City of Yokohama Japan

Special interventions

• 

  Jiyun Kim

  President of Green Environment Youth Korea
• 

  David Atchoarena

  Director, WHO Academy
• 

  Sangmin Nam
  (Closing)

  Director, Environment and Development Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

In 2019, the Asia-Pacific region entered the urban age, with a majority of its population living in cities and towns. While the region’s urban growth to date has led to economic growth and poverty reduction, it has also led to sharp inequalities and environmental degradation. This has led to Asia-Pacific’s higher carbon emissions compared to other regions – with its cities being responsible for nearly 75 per cent of energy-related GHG emissions – as well as significant urban populations being at risk from climate-related impacts, particularly those residing without the security of tenure in low elevation coastal areas. Additionally, buildings and their construction produce nearly 38 per cent of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. To date, Asia-Pacific cities are at the frontline of multiple crises and play a critical role in improving the quality of life for all and in accelerating the transition to achieve the net-zero targets and climate action.

Low-carbon cities are designed and operated in a way that minimizes their carbon emissions and overall environmental impact and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This can be achieved through a variety of strategies, including the use of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient buildings and appliances, sustainable transportation, and waste reduction and recycling. At a city level, this requires enhanced financial resources and systems, appropriate technologies, capacity building, availability of market-based mechanisms and solutions, and the absorptive capacity of forests and other ecosystems. The goal of a low-carbon city is to reduce its carbon footprint and mitigate the impacts of climate change while also creating a healthy and liveable environment for its residents and accelerating the transition to net-zero targets.

Resilient cities, on the other hand, can withstand and recover from various shocks and stresses, including natural disasters, climate change, economic downturns and social unrest. Resilient cities are designed to be flexible and adaptable, with strong infrastructure, diverse economies and robust social networks that can support residents during difficult times. A resilient city can maintain essential functions and services even in the face of adversity and can quickly recover and rebuild after a crisis. Investing in preparedness is a key element. Incorporating the gender lens and needs in formulating the policies, programmes and implementations, as well as ensuring partnership and inclusive participation at the community, local, national, regional and international levels.

Both low-carbon and resilient cities are essential components of sustainable urban development and often overlap in their goals and strategies. By designing both low-carbon and resilient cities, urban planners and policymakers, in partnership with other stakeholders, including civil society and community-based/grassroots organizations, can create resilient communities that are not only environmentally sustainable but also socially and economically vibrant and able to withstand the challenges of the 21st century.

Objectives

This High-Level Plenary aims to accelerate the deep transformations needed to address the climate crisis and extend conventional planning processes as well as good governance in the urban context. Achieving low-carbon and resilient cities in Asia and the Pacific necessitates the rapid adjustment of urban development, the deeper processes of retrofitting, regenerating existing cities and towns, and the provision of sustainable housing and transport solutions. This Plenary will also review progress on urban resilience to date since the last APUF in 2019 and a forward-looking toward the role of cities in the context of loss and damage as Parties to the UNFCCC are currently setting the criteria for the fund to be announced at COP28.

Substantive Context

Urban climate action and resilience refer to the efforts of cities and urban areas to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This includes initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy use, improve public transportation, enhance energy efficiency in buildings, promote sustainable urban planning and provide sustainable housing solutions. Urban resilience measures focus on building the capacity of cities to withstand and recover from climate-related events, such as floods, heatwaves, wildfires and storms. Furthermore, events that can result in tragic outcomes for families, including damage to or complete loss of their homes and livelihood, may expose them to other threats, such as food insecurity, disease and displacement. Therefore, there is a dire need to invest in resilient and net-zero infrastructure, community engagement and emergency preparedness.

1. Climate action is for the people

Informality and our future generations: According to IPCC's WGIII report, over 3.3 billion people are highly vulnerable to climate change. Informal settlements are often based on fragile land susceptible to heightened climate impacts. While the informal economy plays a key role in the growth of Asia-Pacific cities, yet usually it remains unaccounted for in official estimates following a disaster. For example, people's homes in informal settlements are rarely considered – albeit vital to residents' livelihoods and security. Furthermore, women and youth (especially girls) often live in poverty, take on additional burdens due to the gendered division of labour, and are excluded from the economic, political and social life of their cities, which in turn breeds disillusionment and hopelessness, violence, and upheaval. But at the same time, they are valuable contributors to climate action and sustainable development. They are agents of change, entrepreneurs and innovators. Whether through indigenous practices, education, science, or technology, organized community-based/grassroots women and youth are scaling up their localized efforts and using their skills to accelerate climate action.

2. Low-carbon inclusive transport and resilient supply chain

Transport demand in Asia and the Pacific has been increasing rapidly over the past three decades due to population growth, economic development, urbanization and motorization. The region has one of the fastest-growing passenger and freight transport demands compared to other regions – projected to increase by 150 per cent between 2015 and 2050 in a business-as-usual scenario following the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The transport sector should improve the resilience of transport infrastructure and provide inclusive transport services, including for women transport users. It also calls for new technical capacities and significant investment in supply chain and grid infrastructure development, with private sector involvement.

3. Efficient and low-energy buildings and homes

Building materials that retain heat and the loss of green spaces contribute to an ‘urban heat island’ effect. Slums and informal settlements with improvised housing can form micro-heat islands. The building sector is often poorly regulated in Asia and the Pacific cities. Energy performance standards, renewable energy requirements and a life-cycle carbon assessment approach to construction materials and operations are needed in many developing countries. Also, by partnering with families/communities to build stronger, more disaster-resilient and more energy-efficient affordable housing, we are seeing how adequate, safe and resilient housing can contribute to both the immediate security and long-term well-being of families while reducing a home’s environmental impact.

4. Cities on the global stage

Loss and damage pathway to COP28: The assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasized the important role that city and local governments must play in responding to climate change. Cities, by nature, have a higher density of people and assets susceptible to climate change. The very nature of the unique situation a city faces also creates opportunities for climate action. This also serves to progress on the first-ever Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change at COP27 and the ambitions of the COP28 presidency to create a legacy and continue the Ministerial Meeting at COPs to come.

Co-leading Organizations

Audience Engagements

Based on the recommendations set forth in the Future of Asian-Pacific Cities 2023 report, entitled “Crisis Resilient Urban Futures”, audience were asked to vote on the policy recommendations which will have the greatest impact. The highest voted policy recommendation was integrating urban communities as key actors to build resilience against climate and other shocks. To access the full report, visit https://www.unescap.org/kp/2023/future-asian-and-pacific-cities-2023-crisis-resilient-urban-futures.

Following the panel discussion, the audience are asked to summarize the discussion by highlighting some of the keywords that were shared.

Inclusive Urban Digitalization

Introduction

Speakers

• 

  Mariani Yanti

  Head of Tourism and Culture Department Jambi City Local Government, Indonesia
• 

  Nune Petrosyan

  Vice-chairman of Urban Development Committee
• 

  Ngy Chanphal

  Secretary of State for Interior
• 

  Pourya Salehi
  (Moderator)

  Hade of Urban Research, Innovation, and Development Team, ICLEI
• 

  Zafar ul Hasan

  Planning Commission
• 

  Renu Khosla

  Director, Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence

Special interventions

• 

  Juhyun Lee

  Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University
• 

  Rubina Adhikari

  Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP
  Nepal

Urban digitization and innovation are rapidly evolving in Asia and the Pacific region, with many cities embracing technology to address urban challenges, improve services and the quality of life for their residents, and drive economic growth. Key trends include smart city initiatives, digital infrastructure development, e-governance, mobility solutions, innovation ecosystems and sustainable urban development, as well as the use of advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital tools to optimize various aspects of urban living. Urban digitization and innovation have the potential to transform cities by enabling better urban planning, transportation, energy management, public safety and citizen engagement. Smart cities can be seen as a manifestation of urban digitization and innovation that use technology and data to create more liveable, sustainable and connected urban environments, but the latter term encompasses a wider scope of technological advancements and innovations in urban settings aimed at transforming traditional urban environments into digital and technologically-driven spaces.

The pressures of rapid urbanization, technological advancements and environmental challenges, along with increased government support for digital solutions, have created an environment that is conducive to the emergence of innovative smart cities across the region. There are opportunities to use technology and data to address challenges related to rapid urbanization, such as congestion, pollution, waste management, environmental degradation, safety and inequality. However, to fully leverage the potential of innovative digital solutions, it is essential to ensure that they are inclusive, accessible and people-centred, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable citizens, including women, the elderly, people with disabilities and the youth.

While many cities in the region have launched smart city initiatives and made significant progress, some are still in the early stages of their journey and may lack the resources or expertise to execute intricate smart city initiatives. Despite efforts, several initiatives have failed to address urban inequalities and have even exacerbated them. This problem is especially prominent in rapidly developing cities in the region, where factors such as economy, gender, age, ability, ethnicity, race, education and health intersect.

Objectives

The session aims to explore the intersection between technology, sustainable development and their impact on urban inequality, and how urban digitalization and innovation can be utilized to achieve the objective of "leaving no one behind" in Asia and the Pacific. This includes sharing progressive policies, promising practices, and forward-looking initiatives that harness digital transformation and technological innovation to benefit all groups of society, including women and girls, the elderly, people with disabilities and the youth. Overall, the panel session aims to foster discussions, exchange knowledge and generate actionable insights to contribute to the development of inclusive and sustainable smart cities where technology and innovation benefit all residents, including vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Substantive Context

The digital divide and inclusivity are important considerations in the urban digitization and innovation debate. Strategies are required to bridge the gap between those with access to digital technologies and those without. This divide is based on factors such as income, education, age and location, and can result in unequal access to the benefits of urban digitization, especially with rising inequality in cities and urban areas. Inclusivity is about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, can participate in and benefit from urban digitization and innovation. It involves addressing barriers to accessibility, affordability and digital literacy, and ensuring that the benefits of digital technologies are distributed equitably across all segments of society.

One of the significant challenges is the digital divide, which refers to the unequal distribution of access to digital technologies and the internet, mobile phones and computers. This divide affects marginalized and vulnerable groups in various ways. Women, for example, often face social and cultural barriers to accessing and using digital technologies, limiting their opportunities for education, employment and information, thus perpetuating gender inequalities. Moreover, elderly people may not have the necessary skills or financial resources to use digital technologies, resulting in social isolation and impeding access to healthcare. Additionally, disabled people may face physical barriers to accessing digital technologies due to unreachable infrastructure and a lack of assistive devices, further marginalizing them and preventing them from fully participating in society. Finally, for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, digital technologies and internet connectivity may be beyond reach, which can limit their access to education, job opportunities and social networks.

In Asia and the Pacific, the digital divide is not only a matter of accessibility but also a matter of affordability and digital literacy. Marginalized and vulnerable groups may lack the financial resources to purchase digital devices or pay for internet connectivity and may also lack the skills to use them effectively. As a result, they may be left behind in the digital age, with fewer opportunities to contribute to society and the economy. Fifty-four per cent of women use the internet, compared with 59 per cent of men across the region. In low- and middle-income countries in Asia and the Pacific, women are 20 per cent less likely to own a smartphone or to use the internet on a mobile device than men. In addition, although some women and girls own digital devices, they often live in contexts where they do not have the autonomy to use them and, thus, are unable to leverage digital tools to benefit themselves. Apart from insufficient digital access and skills, gender stereotypes and social norms continue to hinder the advancement of an equitable digital transformation. Gender sensitivity in digital education systems and the development of new technologies are fundamental to reducing the digital access gap between men and women.

To address the digital divide and promote inclusivity in urban digitization and innovation, it is important to ensure that digital infrastructure and services are accessible and affordable for all residents, regardless of their socio-economic status, age, education level or location. This may involve initiatives such as expanding broadband access, providing affordable devices and internet plans, offering digital skills training programs, and engaging with diverse communities in the planning and implementation of digital solutions. Governments and civil society organizations can play a critical role in bridging the digital divide by investing in infrastructure, providing affordable access to digital technologies and promoting digital literacy programs. This can help to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable groups have equal opportunities to access and use digital technologies and that they are not left behind in the digital age.

Furthermore, urban digitization and innovation should prioritize social equity and inclusion as core principles, with a focus on designing technologies and solutions that are inclusive, transparent and accountable. This involves considering the diverse needs and perspectives of urban residents and ensuring that digital technologies are used in ways that empower and benefit all members of the community, particularly marginalized and vulnerable populations.

In conclusion, urban digitization and innovation have the potential to drive positive changes in cities, but it is crucial to address the digital divide and promote inclusivity to ensure that the benefits are shared by all residents, regardless of their background or circumstances. This requires proactive efforts to ensure that digital technologies are accessible, affordable and inclusive, and that they are used in ways that promote social equity, transparency and accountability. Overall, the goal is to create smart cities that are inclusive, sustainable and equitable for all residents.

Co-leading Organizations

Audience Engagements

Based on the recommendations set forth in the Future of Asian-Pacific Cities 2023 report, entitled “Crisis Resilient Urban Futures”, audience were asked to vote on the policy recommendations which will have the greatest impact. The highest voted policy recommendation was promoting citizen engagement and multi-stakeholder partnerships for digital transformations in cities. To access the full report, visit https://www.unescap.org/kp/2023/future-asian-and-pacific-cities-2023-crisis-resilient-urban-futures.

Following the panel discussion, the audience are asked to summarize the discussion by highlighting some of the keywords that were shared.

Urban Finance

Introduction

Speakers

• 

  Vijay Jagannathan

  Secretary General of CityNet
• 

  Emil Elestianto Dardak

  President, EAROPH International
• 

  Maciu Nalumisa

  Minister for Housing and Local Government
  Fiji
• 

  Arun Krishnan
  (Moderator)

  Program Manager, Climate Policy Initiative
• 

  Ester A. Aldana, CESO II

  Assistant Secretary for Administration, Finance and Comptrollership Department of the Interior and Local Government
  Philippines
• 

  Patrick Canagasingham

  Chief Operating Officer of Habitat for Humanity
• 

  Pushpa Pathak

  Senior Visiting Fellow Center for Policy Research

Special interventions

• 

  Bina Buddhacharya

  Chairperson, Nepal Mahila Ekta Samaj
• 

  Ruby Hadded

  National Coordinator, Homeless People's Philippines Federation

Urban finance refers to the financial practices and systems that support the development, maintenance and growth of cities and urban areas. It encompasses a wide range of financial activities, from the allocation of public funds for urban infrastructure and services to the financing of private real estate developments and the provision of financial services to urban residents.

Urban finance is a crucial area of focus for many governments, as cities play a significant role in driving economic growth and providing important services to their residents. Effective urban finance requires balancing the needs of residents, businesses and other stakeholders while also considering factors such as sustainability, equity and resilience. Overall, the goal of urban finance is to create financial systems that support sustainable and equitable urban development while also promoting economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents.

Official development assistance (ODA) and public finance are usually insufficient to deliver development targets. One estimate suggests the annual SDG funding gap lies between $1.4 to $3 trillion and between $300 to $528 billion for the “ low and lower-middle income countries and the ‘poorest’ countries” not including the ongoing revenue required to cover the operational and maintenance costs of new infrastructure. Consequently, there is an urgent need to improve the development impact of the public budgets that are available and to attract additional capital to fill the financing gap.

Objectives

To promote discussion around solutions for financing inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities by pursuing prosperity for cities and regions, responding to climate, social and environmental challenges through investing in key urban infrastructure, and widening basic service provisions for all by leaving no one and no place behind.

This includes opportunities for multi-stakeholders to explore dimensions of how various urban financing approaches can deliver inclusive results that improve liveability, resilience, resources and opportunities for all, including financing of municipal services such as water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, housing and transport facilities, social services such as health, education, culture and public space, and emergency services for disaster risk reduction and recovery mechanisms at subnational and local levels.

Substantive Context

In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urban finance plays a crucial role in financing the development and implementation of sustainable urban infrastructure and services, such as housing, transportation, energy, water and waste management. The SDGs recognize that cities play a vital role and call for inclusive and sustainable urbanization. To achieve the SDGs, cities need significant financial resources to develop and implement sustainable urban development projects.

Most of the Sustainable Development Goals are applicable to cities. However, the Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG11) – to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable – poses a gargantuan challenge. The Third International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Addis Ababa in July 2015, emphasized the importance of building financial capabilities at all levels to mobilize and facilitate finance. The New Urban Agenda also stipulates the importance of finance in sustainable urban development. The signatories agreed to support effective, innovative, and sustainable financing frameworks and instruments enabling strengthened municipal finance and local fiscal systems to create, sustain and share the value generated by sustainable urban development in an inclusive manner.

The deficit in financial resources and capabilities took a big hit during the COVID-19 pandemic that negatively impacted municipal governments, with growing demand for services and a lack of finance to invest in extending infrastructure. Many local authorities have an annual planned budget which is always insufficient, and their actual budget may be smaller if central government transfers are not forthcoming. Once operating costs such as salaries are considered., there are limited or no public resources remaining for capital expenditures and infrastructure projects and a low collection of revenue from residents living in poverty, which often makes it difficult to cover the operational costs and recoup capital expenditures.

Furthermore, discussions around financing urban development neglect the importance of the informal sector and informal communities and coordinating the needs and priorities of different stakeholders through an inclusive and shared vision for their city. Informality is growing across many cities in Asia-Pacific. Recognizing the importance of the informal sector and informal communities in urban development, policymakers and urban planners should work to create inclusive financing mechanisms that cater to their needs. This might involve working with marginalized groups as civic entrepreneurs in innovative service delivery, community organizations to provide microfinance, supporting local cooperatives, or providing technical assistance to help informal businesses formalize and access mainstream financing options.

Shocks brought on by unanticipated events and crises have tested the financial resiliencies of cities more than ever in recent decades. The full extent of this impact remains to be seen as we take stock of the total damages and losses. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the national, provincial and city levels has drained finances for many countries, and this means an even greater deficit for funding, maintaining infrastructure, public services and staff resources. Further, the lack of local taxes and revenues means less money for cities to spend. Coupled with the need for greater expenditure on COVID-19 response measures, multiple and often extended lockdowns led to a collapse in economic activity, which likely reduced tax revenue for local governments and inhibited their abilities to invest in much-needed infrastructure and services.

Despite the perceived insurmountable challenges facing cities in their pursuit of larger revenue streams and municipal budgets to finance their spending, there are financial instruments and funding mechanisms to address the barriers and a wide range of available options. The options available to cities may include blended finance, own-source revenue collection and management, leveraging rising land values, green bonds, debt financing and impact investment.

Co-leading Organizations

Audience Engagements

Based on the recommendations set forth in the Future of Asian-Pacific Cities 2023 report, entitled “Crisis Resilient Urban Futures”, audience were asked to vote on the policy recommendations which will have the greatest impact. The highest voted policy recommendation was promoting citizen engagement and multi-stakeholder partnerships for digital transformations in cities. To access the full report, visit https://www.unescap.org/kp/2023/future-asian-and-pacific-cities-2023-crisis-resilient-urban-futures.

Following the panel discussion, the audience are asked to summarize the discussion by highlighting some of the keywords that were shared.