On 18 March 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30 CET, the Hydrogen Economy Unit of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Germany, will present the Hamburg Hydrogen Strategy in an Insight Session. The focus will be on how the Hamburg metropolitan region is positioning itself as a leading international hub for the hydrogen economy.
As a major port and logistics center, Hamburg plays a strategic role in linking global hydrogen supply chains with national demand. The strategy follows an integrated approach to scaling production, imports, infrastructure, and industrial applications, thereby making a key contribution to climate neutrality.
Through targeted investments, policy coordination, and international partnerships, Hamburg is strengthening its hydrogen ecosystem — from large-scale import corridors and hydrogen-ready infrastructure to innovation clusters. The overarching goal is to establish Hamburg as a gateway for hydrogen into Germany and Europe, as well as a center for industrial transformation and sustainable growth.
Join us to discuss how international cooperation, economic competitiveness, and sustainable transformation can work together to advance the hydrogen economy.
On 26 February 2026 from 11:00 to 12:30 CET, the Heilbronn Region Economic Development Corporation will present an Insight Session on the Heilbronn Green Hydrogen Model, highlighting how the Heilbronn-Franken region is advancing the green hydrogen transition through a coordinated regional ecosystem.
Aligned with the EU Hydrogen Strategy and Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy, the initiative supports climate neutrality by expanding electrolysis capacity, developing hydrogen infrastructure, and connecting to the national hydrogen core network.
Under the regional transformation programme ANTRIEB HNF, the strategies RegioStrat and H2 Transform HNF guide long-term planning for energy, mobility, industry, and infrastructure until 2040. Implementation is driven by H2-Impuls, which brings together over 100 stakeholders from 60 institutions, initiates concrete subprojects, and strengthens regional coordination through structured networking and communication.
Join us to gain practical insights into regional hydrogen development and to exchange with experts on building effective hydrogen ecosystems.
International Community of Practice for Sustainable Municipal Development
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE NO. 92, February 2026
Dear readers,
‘Hydrogen and oxygen will secure the Earth’s energy supply for the foreseeable future,’ predicted Jules Verne in his 1875 novel ‘The Mysterious Island,’ anticipating the importance of hydrogen electrolysis and fuel cell technology.
Technology has the power to open up new worlds. In this issue, we demonstrate how AI visualisations can facilitate the redesign of sustainable and affordable living spaces. We also explore how the rural German city of Borgholzhausen has developed a unique electric car-sharing service for the last mile to and from the train station. Hydrogen is also the subject of two planned Insight Sessions, to which you are cordially invited. We will present the Heilbronn hydrogen model and the Hamburg hydrogen strategy from German cities.
During the last week of March, we will hold two more virtual events to discuss how skilled labour immigration can be organised at a municipal level. We will also explore how mobility data can be effectively managed in the context of urban mobility planning.
There are also still places available on the one-year regional learning programme, ‘Protecting critical infrastructure through risk-informed development in Southern Europe/South Caucasus’. We warmly invite local authorities from the region to apply and have extended the application deadline slightly.
We look forward to working with you to open up new possibilities for sustainable and socially responsible urban development.
Your Connective Cities Team
REVIEW
AI-based Visualisation for Sustainable & Affordable Housing
Connective Cities’ virtual peer-learning workshop
On 22 January 2026, Connective Cities brought together municipalities from sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the MENA region. Using AI-based visualisations, practitioners from cities such as Nairobi, Huye, Hebron, Berlin and Windhoek jointly developed future scenarios for inclusive housing, public spaces and climate-resilient neighbourhoods. These were based on local contexts and inspired by the principles of the New European Bauhaus. The workshop marked the beginning of a new phase for the Connective Cities working group on sustainable and affordable housing.
Free E-Car Sharing for the Trip to the Train Station
An innovative mobility concept for rural areas in Borgholzhausen and Halle-Künsebeck that pays for itself.
The rural town of Borgholzhausen has developed a new type of electric car sharing service for the last mile to or from the train station. Anyone with a valid public transport ticket can book an electric vehicle free of charge on designated routes between certain stops for a maximum of half an hour. The neighbouring municipality of Halle-Künsebeck is participating in this innovative mobility concept, which is unique in Germany.
Insight session on building a regional ecosystem on 26 February 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CET
The focus is on how the Heilbronn-Franken region is strategically positioning itself in the green hydrogen sector by developing a coordinated regional ecosystem. In line with the EU and German national hydrogen strategies, the initiative is contributing to climate neutrality by expanding electrolysis capacities, developing hydrogen infrastructure, and connecting to the national hydrogen core network. Take this opportunity to gain practical insights into the development of regional hydrogen structures.
Insight Session about an International Hub for the Hydrogen Economy on 18 March 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30 (CET)
Another insight session on the topic of hydrogen will present the Hamburg metropolitan region, which is positioning itself as a leading international location for the hydrogen economy. As a major port and logistics hub, Hamburg is well placed to link global hydrogen supply chains with national demand. The region’s strategy takes an integrated approach to scaling up production, imports, infrastructure, and industrial applications. The aim is to establish Hamburg as a gateway for hydrogen in Germany and Europe, as well as a centre for industrial change and sustainable growth. Join us and take part in the discussion!
Local Economic Development through
Skilled Immigration and Migrant Entrepreneurship
Insight Session on Practical Approaches from Municipalities
on 25 March 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CET (tbc)
How can local governments take an active role in shaping skilled labour immigration in their municipalities? This interactive online session will bring together German and international municipal practitioners to exchange experiences, learn from practical examples, and discuss innovative approaches to managing skilled labour immigration at the local level.
Further information on the good practices presented will follow shortly. Save the date!
A follow-up activity of the learning process ‘Sustainable Mobility. Interaction of Future Proof Mobility Forms.’
The 2.5-hour online event ‘Mobility Data Management’ is aimed at participants in the learning process as well as all interested municipal experts from Germany and the Global South who are involved in data management for sustainable mobility planning in their municipalities. The event is scheduled for the last week of March. The event programme will follow shortly. Interested parties are welcome to contact the project coordinator Marcella Sobisch: marcella.sobisch@engagement-global.de.
Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure through Risk-Informed Urban Development
Call for participation in the learning process on planning for urban resilience in Southeastern Europe/South Caucasus
Climate-related extreme events, technical disruptions, growing inter-dependencies between infrastructure systems and new security challenges threaten the functioning of urban areas. Protecting critical infrastructure – energy, water, transport, communication and health – has therefore become a central task of modern local governance. The focus lies on integrated planning, multi-risk governance and the development of implementable project approaches to protect and strengthen critical infrastructure. Extended application deadline is 15 March 2026. Become part of the process!
Engagement Global gGmbH
Service Agency Communities in One World
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 40, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Kontakt: Sibylle Loyeau
Email: sibylle.loyeau@engagement-global.de
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 32 + 36, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Kontakt: Ricarda Meissner
Email: ricarda.meissner@giz.de
International Community of Practice for Sustainable Municipal Development
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE NO. 90, December 2025
Dear readers,
‘Only nature can teach us creation, can teach us creativity. Our true illiteracy is the inability to be creative,’ wrote artist, painter and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser in 1983 in his manuscript ‘Concrete Utopias for the Green City’.
Inspired by this quote, in this issue we look back at a dialogue event in Bonn, where creative minds came together to innovatively combine various forms of CO₂-free mobility. It also marks the start of a new learning process on the topic, which we will continue in 2026.
We provide insights into how cities in Germany and sub-Saharan Africa are converting and expanding their infrastructure for green hydrogen, thereby boosting the local economy.
Taking nature as our model, we invite your municipality to participate in our two-year learning process, exploring the most creative options for protection against drought and heavy rainfall. We would also like to cordially invite you to join our learning process on ‘Green Corridors in Germany and the MENA Region’.
Connective Cities is also starting the new year with three additional strong partners. We will briefly introduce them and outline the topics that we would like to explore in greater depth together with you.
We wish you happy holidays and a good start to the new year.
Sincerely Your Connective Cities Team
REVIEW
Combination of future-proof mobility forms
Kick-Off of the New Learning Process on Sustainable Mobility in Bonn
From 25 to 27 November, Connective Cities hosted a dialogue event in Bonn. 38 experts from 20 municipalities in 11 countries followed the invitation to share their innovative project approaches with colleagues and collaborate on new implementation ideas. Small municipalities such as Schlangen in the Teutoburg Forest, with a population of around 9,000, were represented, as well as metropolises with millions of inhabitants, such as Rio de Janeiro and Munich. The innovative approaches were equally diverse.
Unlocking the potential of new technologies at the local level
Green hydrogen is rapidly gaining global prominence as a crucial energy carrier for the future. For many African countries, abundant solar and wind resources give cities a unique advantage, positioning them not only as innovation hubs but also as centers for technology transfer, workforce training, and industrial diversification. By integrating sustainable use of green hydrogen into urban planning, municipalities can enhance energy security, attract long-term investment, and build more resilient, climate-friendly local economies—ultimately becoming key drivers in the global clean-energy transition.
Water resilience – Municipalities strengthen themselves against drought and heavy rainfall events
Call for participants: Connective Cities Deep Dive – a two-year learning process with a kick-off event in Germany in March 2026
Local authorities are facing challenges due to climate change and soil sealing, with more frequent droughts, heavy rainfall and flooding. In Germany and the Global South, innovative solutions are currently being promoted and rapidly tested. Connective Cities is therefore offering an in-depth learning process on this topical and highly relevant issue, and we warmly invite interested local authorities to participate.
Invitation to the Kickoff Workshop, 7–9 April 2026 (TBC), Egypt
Green corridors improve urban microclimates, enhance public spaces, and support municipalities in adapting to climate change. In the new one-year Connective Cities Learning Process MENA, professionals from Germany and the MENA region will jointly develop practical, co-creative and actionable solutions for green corridors in their local contexts. We warmly invite you to join the kickoff workshop and contribute your project idea or challenge to the learning process.
Stronger Together: The New Partners of Connective Cities
The German County Association, the German Association of Towns and Municipalities and the Association of Public Utilities are now part of the Steering Committee
More municipal voices, more exchange, more joint creative power – Connective Cities is entering the next phase with an expanded group of partners. We introduce our partners and outline the thematic priorities for the coming year. Take a look!
Engagement Global gGmbH
Service Agency Communities in One World
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 40, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Kontakt: Sibylle Loyeau
Email: sibylle.loyeau@engagement-global.de
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 32 + 36, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Kontakt: Ricarda Meissner
Email: ricarda.meissner@giz.de
Green hydrogen is rapidly gaining global prominence as a crucial energy carrier for the future. Although much of today’s discussion focuses on hydrogen production and its export potential, domestic consumption of green hydrogen offers equally significant opportunities for local economic development—strengthening municipal infrastructure, creating skilled jobs, and stimulating new economic activities along various value chains. For many African countries, abundant solar and wind resources give cities a unique advantage, positioning them not only as innovation hubs but also as centers for technology transfer, workforce training, and industrial diversification. By integrating sustainable use of green hydrogen into urban planning, municipalities can enhance energy security, attract long-term investment, and build more resilient, climate-friendly local economies—ultimately becoming key drivers in the global clean-energy transition.
To advance the exchange of best practices and accelerate strategy development between African and German cities, Connective Cities hosted its second workshop on “Exploring the Potential of the Green Transition for Local Economic Development” held on 25–27 November 2025 in Mombasa. Representatives from Mauritania, Kenya, South Africa, and Germany participated. This edition focused on improving technological readiness for green hydrogen production, addressing local implementation challenges andstrengthening regional competitiveness among other readiness issues. The discussions further emphasized the importance of involving , and integrating universities, research institutions and start-ups as key drivers of job creation and innovation.
The City of Nakuru, Kenya presented its benchmark strategy to position itself as a model green city and a leading hub for green fertiliser production within is floriculture sector, reducing import dependency and supporting the emergence of new green industries. With its proximity to the rift valley geothermal vents, Nakuru is well positioned for cost- competitive green hydrogen production. The city aims to attract pilot projects, applied research initiatives, and local and international start-ups working along the green hydrogen value chain., reinforcing its long-term vision as a regional clean-energy and innovation hub.
Field visit to the port of Mombasa | Photo: Connective Cities
Kenya has adopted a national Green Hydrogen Strategy and participates in regional African hydrogen initiatives. Mombasa, as a major port city, holds strategic significance for export logistics and coastal project siting. While early national activities have focused on potential assessments and pilot sites, coastal locations like Mombasa are increasingly viewed as gateways for logistics, export-oriented hydrogen production, and coastal renewable-energy projects. The city now seeks to leverage its strategic location to establish itself as a global player in hydrogen-powered logistics and to develop the port into a logistics cluster that attracts innovative local and international investment supported by a skilled workforce.
In South Africa, the Waterberg region in Limpopo forms part of the national “Hydrogen Valley,” stretching across Limpopo, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. Mining and industrial operations in the Waterberg–Mokopane corridor are being integrated into hydrogen and platinum-group-metal value chains. Recent feasibility studies and national green hydrogen planning have made the region increasingly attractive to investors. The local development vision is to integrate renewable energy generation with mining operations and downstream green hydrogen and green ammonia applications. This approach aims to link industrial decarbonisation and new export opportunities with local job creation and investment. Waterberg is also seeking to strengthen collaboration with universities by fostering local and international research partnerships to spur pilot projects and nurture green start-ups across emerging value chains.
Mauritania has become a high-potential green hydrogen country due to its exceptional wind and solar resources and favourable export position toward Europe. Several large-scale, export-oriented hydrogen and ammonia projects have been announced or are under development. While the national strategy prioritises export-driven green hydrogen production, it also emphasises renewable energy use to support domestic power grids and industry. However, as national projects advance, municipalities within Nouakchott—particularly Sebkha and Ksar, – continue to face high electricity costs, pollution, limited infrastructure, and the absence of clear municipal hydrogen strategies. These communes are not seeking merely to host hydrogen developments, they aim to participate meaningfully in shaping equitable, community-centered value creation within Mauritania’s emerging green hydrogen economy. The City of Nouakchott through its private sector and international partnerships, now seeks to position itself as an active player in his transition with a focus on modernizing urban services , strengthening governance, and building local private-sector capacity ultimately becoming a regional hub for green urban development, logistics, and industrial enterprises linked to the green hydrogen value chain.
The participating German cities also shared key insights and updates on their latest initiatives. Karlsruhe highlighted its hydrogen hub around the Rhine ports (H2iPortKA) and its strong research ecosystem in collaboration with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the Fraunhofer Institutes. Particularly noteworthy is the dynamic start-up and spin-off environment, which demonstrates how the green transition can generate new jobs and investment for an entire region.
Heilbronn, well known as a centre for technology and hydrogen innovation within Germany’s automotive and engineering clusters, aims to use green hydrogen to diversify its industrial base, upgrade workforce skills, and anchor research-driven companies in the region. Heilbronn University and nearby Fraunhofer initiatives are expanding applied research and innovation centers—including those focused on hydrogen technologies—leveraging strong industry links for piloting and skills development.
Field visit to the port of Mombasa | Photo: Connective Cities
The workshop underscored the vast opportunities emerging around green hydrogen production across regions endowed with abundant renewable energy resources.. However, cities and regions hosting these new green industries are often overlooked in national strategies that prioritize high-profile investments and export ambitions. Many localities remain uncertain of how they and their populations can directly participate in these developments. Significant technological and institutional gaps persist, and synergies between international high-tech initiatives and local realities are not automatic. As a result, municipalities are increasingly seeking models, international experiences, expertise, and partnerships to strengthen their capacity and create a level playing field:- one that enables prosperous, innovative and equitable local economies in which nations, investors, and communities all benefit alongside advancing technologies
The global transition towards sustainable transportation is essential for a sustainable future. Experts agree: there is no one-size-fits-all solution for sustainable mobility. Instead, we must create public transport services that include a range of mobility solutions and combine them in the best possible way – in a smart, accessible, and time- and resource-efficient manner. In addition, measures must be tailored very individually to the needs of citizens in individual regions, cities, counties, or municipalities. For strategic planning, German municipalities often develop concepts across regions in collaboration with transport and special-purpose associations. Innovative solutions and considerations for connecting transport are particularly reflected in concepts for mobility, tourism, or strategic regional development. In the Global South, municipalities are often challenged by urbanization and increasing traffic volumes to formulate solutions for developing their communities, and are increasingly relying on digital solutions and private providers.
The dialogue event marks the start of a one-year learning process in which participating municipalities are also invited to take part in further optional activities.
Objectives of the event
The event brings together experts from cities, counties, and municipalities and supports international expert exchange on the interaction of sustainable forms of mobility.
Goals for participants
Learn about innovative mobility solutions and how to combine them in a smart way
Compare strategic approaches and instruments for sustainable mobility in cities and surrounding areas
Acquire skills to solve challenges in the implementation of planned measures, drawing on an extended network and the method of peer consultation
In addition: getting to know each other as a basis for expanded peer exchange, e.g., through professional exchange trips
Participation and contact
If you would like to participate in the learning process, please send us an email by 15 October 2025, with details about your municipality or organization, your role, and a brief description of the project or challenge you would like to present to the other participants.For further information, please download the Call for particpation [pdf, 2 pages].
If you have any questions about the Connective Cities learning process, the event and your participation, please feel free to contact us:
African and German Cities Power a Shared Vision for a Just, Climate-Smart Hydrogen Future
Cities across Africa and Europe are accelerating their role as frontline actors in the global green transition, driving innovation, investment, and climate resilience from the ground up. Following the successful launch of the Hydrogen Cities Working Group earlier this year in Naivasha, Kenya, Connective Cities will convene the second peer-learning workshop on 24–27 November 2025 in Mombasa, Kenya.
This flagship event will bring together city leaders, practitioners, industry innovators, researchers, and development partners to scale up municipal hydrogen strategies and unlock new pathways for green industrialization, inclusive growth, and just transition at the local level.
From Naivasha to Mombasa: Turning Ideas into Impact
The inaugural workshop in Naivasha brought together over 30 municipal representatives and technical experts to explore how cities can anchor the emerging green hydrogen economy in local value creation and job generation. It underscored hydrogen’s role not only as a clean-energy vector but as a catalyst for climate-neutral industrial ecosystems, skills development, and innovation-driven urban transformation.
Case studies showcased how municipalities are positioning themselves along the hydrogen value chain — from production and storage to end-use applications in mobility, manufacturing, and port logistics. Examples ranged from Namibia’s evolving hydrogen hubs to Germany’s Heilbronn and Karlsruhe regions, where local governments are building innovation clusters, R&D partnerships, and market linkages for hydrogen deployment.
Specialist presentation during the meeting in Naivasha | Photo: Connective Cities
Participants also highlighted the importance of integrated urban governance — combining spatial planning, transparent land management, and strong stakeholder engagement — to ensure hydrogen projects deliver tangible community benefits.
Key takeaways from Naivasha included:
Municipal leadership as a driving force for innovation, investment, and policy alignment.
Local value creation through SME participation, skills training, and green entrepreneurship.
Institutional capacity and human capital as preconditions for hydrogen readiness.
Peer-to-peer collaboration as a catalyst for scaling solutions and knowledge transfer.
Since Naivasha, cities have been actively refining their project concepts, forging cross-regional partnerships, and identifying bankable entry points to accelerate their green transition agendas.
Green Hydrogen: Powering Sustainable, Inclusive Urban Futures
Africa’s vast solar and wind potential places its cities at the heart of the global clean-energy transformation. Green hydrogen — and its derivatives such as green ammonia and e-methanol — offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for low-carbon industrialisation, climate resilience, and circular economy development.
For municipalities, this transition means:
Developing innovation clusters and hydrogen corridors that attract private investment.
Expanding renewable energy infrastructure and smart urban grids.
Enhancing water security and resource-efficient technologies such as desalination and wastewater reuse.
Creating green jobs across engineering, construction, logistics, and research sectors.
Catalysing start-ups, incubators, and technology partnerships.
Building skills pipelines aligned with future hydrogen markets.
Yet, challenges persist — from infrastructure gaps and regulatory complexity to financing bottlenecks and local ownership. The Hydrogen Cities Working Group provides a collaborative platform where cities can co-create solutions, de-risk investment, and ensure the green transition remains inclusive, equitable, and locally anchored.
What to Expect in Mombasa: Scaling Up and Going Deeper
The upcoming workshop in Mombasa will mark a critical shift from strategic visioning to operationalisation and project implementation. Over three days, participants will:
Present project updates and refine concepts through structured peer-review and coaching.
Engage in interactive sessions on land use, water-energy nexus, and industrial cluster design.
Explore innovative financing instruments, including blended finance and PPP models.
Participate in hands-on peer-coaching clinics to advance project maturity.
Exchange with international experts on policy frameworks, investment pipelines, and market integration.
Join a site visit to the Mombasa Port and Special Economic Zone to identify real-world opportunities for green hydrogen applications.
The event will feature keynotes from government and private-sector leaders, expert panels, and networking sessions to strengthen partnerships between African and German municipalities.
Confirmed participants include cities such as Mombasa, Naivasha, Lüderitz, Arandis, Nouakchott, Waterberg District, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Heilbronn, and Freudenstadt — forming a growing alliance of municipalities championing decentralized, climate-smart hydrogen ecosystems.
Looking Ahead: Cities as Catalysts of a Just Green Economy
As the global energy landscape transforms, cities that act decisively today will become the engines of tomorrow’s green prosperity. The Mombasa workshop represents another milestone in empowering municipalities to lead the hydrogen-powered urban transformation — advancing climate action, economic resilience, and social inclusion in equal measure.
Through the Hydrogen Cities Working Group, Connective Cities continues to bridge continents, connect expertise, and translate ambition into action — ensuring that the hydrogen revolution drives sustainable, locally embedded, and future-ready urban economies.
From Naivasha to Mombasa, cities are demonstrating that the green transition starts locally — and scales globally.
The Final Event of the Connective Cities Learning Process in Southeast Europe brought together municipalities, donors, and technical experts in Podgorica to accelerate the region’s transition toward sustainable, renewable energy solutions. Over three dynamic days, participants exchanged practical insights, pitched municipal project concepts, engaged directly with financing institutions, and visited a completed energy-efficiency project in Cetinje. The workshop marked the culmination of nearly two years of collaboration, equipping cities with clearer financing pathways, stronger partnerships, and concrete next steps for turning their renewable energy ambitions into implementable, fundable projects.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE NO. 89, November 2025
Dear readers,
“Problems can never be solved with the same mindset that created them,” Albert Einstein once said. In this spirit, we actively promote the exchange of innovative ideas.
In this edition, we are pleased to report on the successful conclusion of our learning process on the use of renewable energy in municipalities across Southeast Europe and the Caucasus. We also look forward to the upcoming meeting of our Hydrogen Cities working group, which will continue to explore the potential of the green transition for local economic development – both in German municipalities and in cities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Furthermore, we warmly invite you to our virtual expert exchange on 2 December, focusing on “Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Municipal Administration.”
We hope you enjoy an inspiring read.
Warm regards,
Your Connective Cities Team
INSIGHTS
Strengthening cities for a renewable future
Documentation of the Connective Cities learning process in Southeast Europe
Following the conclusion of the Connective Cities learning process in Southeast Europe, municipalities, donors and experts gathered in Podgorica to finalise concrete project proposals and implementation concepts for renewable energies. Following almost two years of collaboration, the workshop paved the way for stronger partnerships and financially viable, implementable energy projects in the region.
Exploring the Potential of Green Transition for Local Economic Development
Further workshop from 24 to 27 November 2025 in Mombasa, Kenya
Cities across Africa and Europe are accelerating their role as frontline actors in the global green transition, driving innovation, investment, and climate resilience from the ground up. Following the successful launch of the Hydrogen Cities Working Group earlier this year in Naivasha, Kenya, Connective Cities will convene the second peer-learning workshop from 24 to 27 November 2025 in Mombasa, Kenya.
Artificial intelligence in local governments: opportunities and challenges in an international comparison
Virtual expert exchange on 02 December 2025 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 CET
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important for local governments. AI opens up new possibilities for action, from making administrative processes more efficient to enabling data-driven decisions in urban development, resource use and citizen participation. However, questions also arise about ethical standards, transparency, and social inclusion. Join the discussion in our international exchange of experiences!
Association of German Cities
Gereonstraße 18 – 32, 50670 Köln | Deutschland
Kontakt: Sabine Drees
Email: sabine.drees@staedtetag.de
Engagement Global gGmbH
Service Agency Communities in One World
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 40, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Kontakt: Sibylle Loyeau
Email: sibylle.loyeau@engagement-global.de
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 32 + 36, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Kontakt: Ricarda Meissner
Email: ricarda.meissner@giz.de
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE NO. 88, October 2025
Dear readers,
‘The illness of our cities and settlements today is the sad result of our failure to prioritise basic human needs over economic and industrial demands.’ This statement was made by Walter Gropius, the founder of the German art, design and architecture school, ‘Bauhaus’.
However, this does not have to remain the case. This issue is all about sustainable urban development. In this article, we report on our support for Syrian urban planners within our MENA network following the end of the civil war. Good practices from Aswan in Egypt and Constantine in Algeria show how climate protection measures have been implemented step by step.
We also explore how local authorities and their associations worldwide are accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2030 in their communities through sustainability reporting, known as Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), while raising their voices on this issue at the national and international levels. Additionally, we have compiled our practical experience from further learning processes into two guidelines at the end of this project phase: (1) How decision-makers can take a risk-aware approach in times of climate change and incorporate heat adaptation into their planning processes; and (2) how to integrate a gender perspective into planning processes and all municipal services.
In November, we will summarise the learning experiences, innovative approaches and successful project work from the ‘Reuse of Modernist Public Buildings’ learning process for you.
From 25 to 27 November, the dialogue event ‘Sustainable Mobility: The Interaction of Future-Oriented Forms of Mobility’ will mark the beginning of a new learning process, providing experts in this field with the opportunity to engage in intensive experience-sharing.
We would also like to cordially invite you to our Connective Cities network meeting, which will take place in Bonn from 9 to 10 December 2025, as well as to the virtual ad hoc event on 2 December 2025: ‘Artificial Intelligence in Local Government: Opportunities and Challenges in an International Comparison’. If you are interested, please keep these dates free in December. Further information will be available shortly on our website and in the next issue of our newsletter.
We hope you find this an inspiring read. Your Connective Cities Team
REVIEW
Cities as pioneers for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future
U20 Mayor Summit in Johannesburg from 12 to 15 September 2025
The cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane hosted this year’s Urban 20. At the invitation of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), representatives from the city of Bonn and Connective Cities participated in a panel discussion. The discussion emphasised the importance of accessible data, partnerships, and professional exchange.
Enhancing Local Governance for Climate Action in the MENA region
Review of the Insight Session held on 13 October 2025,
The Insight Session focused on framework planning and multi-stage implementation steps, highlighting best practice in ‘Developing an Integrated Framework of Measures Against Heat in Aswan, Egypt’ and ‘Improving Pedestrian-Friendliness and Transit-Oriented Development in Constantine, Algeria’. The project’s success was driven by decentralised cooperation and knowledge exchange within the framework of global partnerships.
Building New Bridges: Integration of Syrian cities in Connective Cities regional network
Connective Cities organized a workshop in Amman on the 18-19 August 2025
With the overarching theme of ‘Municipal knowledge exchange on integrated urban planning, sustainable infrastructure and digital municipal services’ in mind, representatives from the provinces of Damascus and Rif Damascus presented updates on their current urban planning projects. They also discussed the challenges involved in pursuing a long-term vision for sustainable development.
Strengthening the voice of cities and accelerating the implementation of the SDGs
Documentation of the Connective Cities learning process on local and regional sustainability reporting from 2 December 2024 to 25 September 2025
The learning process aimed to improve the preparation of VLRs and VSRs, accelerate the implementation of the SDGs, and ultimately promote dialogue between the local, regional, and national levels by facilitating an international exchange of experiences. The regional diversity of the participants, who contributed perspectives and practical examples from South America, sub-Saharan Africa, Germany, Southeastern Europe, and Asia, enriched the discussion and contributed to the success of the process.
A Guidebook on Risk-Informed Planning and Heat Mitigation
Cities play a dual role in climate change. On the one hand, they contribute significantly to it. On the other hand, they are particularly vulnerable to its effects. This guide showcases best practice and is intended for local authorities, urban planners, and policymakers seeking to adopt a risk-aware approach and incorporate heat adaptation into their planning processes.
Based on a model developed by the National Federation of Tunisian Municipalities and its partners, this guide offers a consistent and practical approach to promoting gender equality, integrating a gender perspective into all municipal services. As well as policy measures and projects, the aim is to initiate a cultural shift in which gender mainstreaming is seen as a fundamental pillar of equitable and effective local governance, rather than an additional service.
Sustainable mobility – combination of future-proof mobility forms
Call for participants: Connective Cities dialogue event from 25 to 27 November 2025 in Bonn, Germany
The global transport transition is essential for a sustainable future. The event brings together experts from cities, counties and municipalities and supports them in the international exchange of expertise on the interaction of sustainable forms of mobility. It marks the start of a year-long learning process, during which participating municipalities are also invited to take part in further optional activities.
A paradigm shift in the construction sector: reuse instead of demolition
What has become of the former Hilton Hotel in Nairobi, which has been left vacant?
The renovation of public buildings from the 1960s and 1970s, or their conversion for a new purpose, instead of demolition, holds great potential. It is one of the outcomes of the year-long learning process ‘Reuse of Modernist Public Buildings’ run by Connective Cities. Read our summary in November to find out more about innovative approaches and successful project work in five countries for a sustainable, circular construction sector.
Artificial intelligence in local governments: opportunities and challenges in an international comparison
Virtual expert exchange on 02 December 2025
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important for local governments. AI opens up new possibilities for action, from making administrative processes more efficient to enabling data-driven decisions in urban development, resource use and citizen participation. However, questions also arise about ethical standards, transparency, and social inclusion. Join the discussion in our international exchange of experiences!
Association of German Cities
Gereonstraße 18 – 32, 50670 Köln | Deutschland
Kontakt: Sabine Drees
Email: sabine.drees@staedtetag.de
Engagement Global gGmbH
Service Agency Communities in One World
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 40, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Kontakt: Sibylle Loyeau
Email: sibylle.loyeau@engagement-global.de
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 32 + 36, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Kontakt: Ricarda Meissner
Email: ricarda.meissner@giz.de
