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
On a voluntary basis, more and more municipalities are reporting on the implementation status of the 2030 Agenda‘s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level in so-called Voluntary Local Reviews (VLR) or Voluntary Sub-National Reviews (VSR) at the regional level. These serve as a supplement to the national reports (VNRs) of governments and are presented each year at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York. This leads to greater visibility for the local level regarding the international level and highlights its central role in implementing the SDGs. However, in many countries, there is more talk about local governments at the national level than with them when it comes to developing national sustainability strategies. Yet it is at the local level that over 65% of the SDGs are implemented (or not).
At the beginning of December 2024, Connective Cities therefore launched a learning process on sustainable reporting at the local and regional level. The aim was to improve the preparation of VLRs and VSRs through an international exchange of experiences, accelerate the implementation of the SDGs, and ultimately promote dialogue between the local, regional, and national levels. For the first time, representatives of municipal associations consulted with their colleagues from city administrations in a dialogue event organized by Connective Cities. Regional diversity, with perspectives and practical examples from South America, sub-Saharan Africa, Germany, Southeast Europe, and Asia, vividly fuelled the discussion and contributed to the success of the process.
Local governance plays a critical role in advancing climate action across the MENA region, where cities and municipalities are increasingly at the frontline of responding to climate-related challenges such as water scarcity, extreme heat, and urban vulnerability. Despite national climate strategies, local authorities often face limited financial and technical capacities to implement sustainable solutions. However, there is growing recognition of the need to decentralize climate governance by empowering municipalities with the tools, knowledge, and resources to plan and implement locally tailored climate initiatives. Collaborative efforts—such as regional networks, peer-learning platforms, and partnerships with civil society and the private sector—are helping to strengthen local capacities and foster more inclusive, participatory approaches to climate resilience in urban and rural settings alike. Against this background, Connective Cities has organized on the 13th October 2025 an insight session to showcase good practices and achievements from municipalities in the MENA region in this field.
Planning framework for municipal heat adaptation in Aswan| Photo: Connective Cities
Dr. Marwa Ahmed (General Manager of International Cooperation and Community Participation at the Urban Development Fund in Egypt), presented the good practice ‘Integrated Heat Action Framework Development in Aswan, Egypt’, where the Urban Development Fund partnered up with Aswan governorate to channel its institutional knowledge while putting together fragmented parts that will form the base for an Integrated Heat Action Framework in Aswan. The aim was to 1) establish a core working group with the most relevant departments to be involved in the process of developing a heat action plan, and 2) develop the general framework and select a zone for piloting. International experiences showcased and discussed as part of the deep dive were adapted to serve in the local context. Capitalizing on the local native knowledge in Aswan on climate-responsive design and construction methods, the local building codes will be reviewed and modified. The general framework includes measures for 1) adaptation planning and implementation, 2) preparedness, communication, and workers’ safety, 3) built environment, infrastructure, and managed spaces, and 4) ecosystem-based adaptation.
Voting for area prioritization and selection was conducted and resulted in choosing “Elsail Elgadida” as a pilot area. Initial needs assessment meetings with local residents revealed a myriad of urban challenges, among which is the lack of safe public spaces. Accordingly, it was suggested to designate one of the districts numerous wide streets to this purpose by converting it into a pedestrian-only area and rehabilitating it with tree planting, shading elements and urban furniture. Local residents expressed their willingness to collaborate by watering the planted trees.
Assessment of pedestrian-friendliness in Constantine | Photo: Connective Cities
Mr. Al-Hani Maghzi (representative of Constantine municipality-Algeria) presented the initial results and roadmap for improving walkability and transitioning into transit-oriented development in Constantine. He showcased the multi-stage roadmap that incorporates a wide range of procedures that are categorized as structural (e.g. review of mobility plan), comprehensive (e.g. reducing car use, widening sidewalks, reorganizing parking spaces) and priority actions (transforming the city center into a pedestrian-friendly area). He concluded his presentation with the statement that green and liveable cities prioritize pedestrians over vehicles.
In conclusion, the examples showcased how decentralized cooperation supports knowledge exchange, strengthens global partnerships, and drives innovation in local climate adaptation and climate protection efforts. Through the resulting lively discussion, the participants were provided with actionable insights and tools for municipalities to integrate climate resilience into local planning, infrastructure, and service delivery while ensuring social equity and long-term environmental sustainability.
Cities play a dual role in climate change—they are both major contributors to it and highly vulnerable to its impacts. This dynamic creates a feedback loop that exacerbates urban challenges, where urban contributions to climate change worsen the very risks that urban centers face. As cities worldwide experience the impacts of climate change including rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves, the need for proactive, risk-informed planning has never been more urgent.
Cities Leading by Example: A Guidebook on Risk-Informed Planning and Heat Mitigation serves as a practical guide for municipal actors, urban planners, policymakers, and community leaders seeking to adopt risk-informed approach and to integrate heat adaptation into their planning processes. Drawing on practice-oriented examples, this guidebook delves into city experiences in devising policies and strategies, optimizing the institutional set-up and steering structures, pursuing effective communication and public engagement as well as utilising evidence-based planning using climate data.
“What gets measured, gets managed.” This adage underscores the importance of tracking progress to achieve meaningful change. For municipalities committed to gender mainstreaming, this means developing structured data systems, enriching the knowledge base, and ensuring precise monitoring—essential steps toward truly inclusive, gender-sensitive local governance.
Building on the model pioneered by the National Federation of Tunisian municipalities (FNCT) and its partners,1 this guide provides a unified, practical framework for advancing gender equality by integrating a gender perspective across all municipal services. Beyond policies and projects, it aims to catalyze a cultural shift—one where gender mainstreaming is no longer an add-on, but a fundamental pillar of equitable and effective local governance. Establishing a municipal observatory for Gender Mainstreaming enables municipalities to integrate the gender perspective into all aspects of municipal services, and to foster a shift in mindset where gender mainstreaming is recognized as a core element of fair and inclusive local governance. Employing the guide’s evidence-based approach, municipalities can stimulate dialogue, propose concrete solutions, and develop measurable gender related indicators that municipalities can apply and track.
Building and demolition account for about 60% of carbon emissions and for more than 30% of waste generation. The reuse of buildings is an essential strategy towards a more sustainable building sector. Plus, the decision to reuse an existing building can save municipalities up to 15% of construction and demolition costs. We would therefore like to invite you to join our 2,5h online-event in September and learn more about the successful reuse of public buildings – maybe this insights will come in handy in your work environment?
Last September, a Connective Cities dialog event in cooperation with the Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing was dedicated to this paradigm shift. Around 30 municipal experts from Germany, Kenya, Montenegro, the Palestinian Territories, Zambia and Ukraine exchanged ideas on solutions and challenges for the sustainable reuse of modernist buildings and worked together on individual project ideas.
On September 22, 2025, the Connectve Cities Summary and Outlook Event will allow participants and further municipal experts from Germany and worldwide to:
Look back on the one year long learning process and the projects’ advances
See examples for the revitalization of public buildings from a donors’ perspective
Get input on the importance of reuse projects for the global SDGs
Get input on the reuse of building parts by practitioners
Learn about your opportunities to engage in German development cooperation
The working language of the event is English. Please find the agenda attached. Contact us regarding any questions you might have: connective-cities@engagement-global.de.
This workshop contributed to strengthening the exchange of municipal experiences and paved the way for Syrian cities to be integrated in the network and become active members. Representatives from Damascus and Reef Damascus Governorates shared the current state of comprehensive planning, highlighting the challenges of pursuing a long-term vision for sustainable development while aiming to turn the complexities of post-war reconstruction into an opportunity to build back better.
Participants during the lecture on planning in Damascus | Photo: Muna Shalan, Connective CitiesPresentation of the digitisation process in Amman | Photo: Muna Shalan, Connective Cities
They also discussed their aspirations for digital transformation in their city administration. Their counterparts from Greater Amman municipality delved into practical experiences in these thematic fields, sharing a wealth of knowledge and lessons learned grounded in the local context of implementation.
Peer consultation and presentation of good practices | Photo: Muna Shalan, Connective Cities
Through interactive peer learning activities, the participants showcased good practice examples and fleshed out success factors and impediments faced by municipal workers in the process of city planning, municipal service delivery, and digital transformation. The discussions created an open and honest exchange, allowing both sides to learn from each other’s successes and obstacles.
Field visit to Al-Zuhour Green Triangle – a model for green infrastructure | Photo: Muna Shalan, Connective Cities
A site visit to a good practice example was also organized as part of the workshop namely to Al-Zuhour Green Triangle – a model for green infrastructure. On an area of 2300 sq. m, this pilot project that was implemented by Greater Amman municipality and UN-Habitat Jordan demonstrates two concepts of green stormwater management; stormwater bioretention and stormwater detention.
The workshop resulted in a roadmap for future cooperation and institutionalization of knowledge exchange, which outlined priority action areas. Key focus areas include legislation and governance, with an emphasis on fast-tracking a fair reconstruction law in Syria, adopting standardized tendering and contracting procedures, and activating public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks where appropriate. In terms of decentralization, participants agreed on the need to delegate selected powers—particularly in transport and traffic management—to municipalities, supported by technical committees to ensure that master plans align with sectoral strategies. Strengthening resources and capacities was also identified as critical, including securing adequate human and financial resources, and investing in in-house expertise and ongoing training.
Group photo of participants | Photo: Muna Shalan, Connective Cities
Placing the community at the center of urban planning emerged as another key principle, with commitments to maintain public participation through Citizen Hubs and feedback mechanisms that reflect both the social and economic dimensions of urban life. Finally, under the banner of “Build Back Better,” participants called for addressing data gaps, improving cross-sectoral coordination, and using reconstruction as a platform for long-term, sustainable development.
This was the central question that brought together urban risk experts, local leaders, and community representatives from Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo to continue the workshop series on “Risk-Informed Urban Development in West Africa and the ECOWAS Region”.
The 2nd workshop took place from 02-04 July in Accra, Ghana. This workshop was jointly organised by the German Projects Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA), Connective Cities, and CIVIC and in cooperation with the African Union and the ECOWAS Commission.
The Workshop Series
West Africa is facing growing challenges due to climate change and rapid urbanisation. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts temperature increases of 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius by 2050, which has already led to a 25% rise in climate-related extreme events between 2011 and 2021. These shifts threaten water resources, biodiversity, food security, and public health. Additionally, the urban population is expected to double by 2050 across Africa, exacerbating the risks associated with rapid urbanisation, particularly in informal settlements. Climate-related disasters could cost the region between 1.5% and 3% of GDP annually by 2030, making investments in urban resilience vital for protecting infrastructure, livelihoods, and promoting sustainable economic growth.
Panelists from left to right – Isabel Njihia (UNDRR), Mr. Cédric Dzelu, Technical Advisor to the Minister, Ministry for Climate Change and Sustainability, Ghana, Dr. Emmanuel Osuteye, AUC, Mrs. Beatrice Owusu-Appiah, Planner, City of Accra, Mr. Assouhan Jonas Atchade, ECOWAS Secretariat | Photo: GIZ – Resilience Initiative Africa
To address these challenges, RIA and Connective Cities have launched the workshop series on “Risk-Informed Urban Development in West Africa and the ECOWAS Region”. The goal of the workshop series is to provide urban actors in the region with the tools and knowledge needed to manage urban risks while fostering collaboration through peer learning and exchange. The workshop series supports 12 cities from West Africa in preparing bankable project ideas to address the risks faced in their cities and strengthening the capacities of the participating urban practitioners in enhancing urban resilience.
Workshop 2 – Inclusivity and Participatory Risk Assessments
Presentation by Dr. Benjamin Creutzfeldt, City of Berlin on New impulse for municipal urban pluvial risk management: map-ping the impacts of heavy rain on various elements at risk | Photo: GIZ – Resilience Initiative Africa
After the kick-off workshop in Lomé, Togo, the 2nd workshop took place in Accra, Ghana from 2 to 4 July. Over three days, participants gained insights into participatory risk assessments and inclusivity concepts. They were provided with concrete tools and approaches on how to integrate these concepts in their urban planning work to tackle Risk-Informed Urban Development. Experts in urban planning, as well as representatives from the African Union and ECOWAS, and civil society, shared their experiences and provided a range of perspectives, from continental to local-level approaches.
The workshop was completed through the continued peer-advisory sessions where cities presented their concrete challenges in the elaboration of their project idea that they started since workshop 1 and received practical advice from other participating cities.
The Ga Mashie Participatory Slum Upgrading Project | Photo: GIZ – Resilience Initaitive AfricaThe Recycling Hub at the Bubuashie Cable and Wireless. | Photo: GIZ – Resilience Initiative Africa
On the third day of the workshop, participants visited two sites in Accra that linked to the topic of participatory risk assessment and inclusivity: The Ga Mashie Participatory Slum Upgrading Project and the Recycling Hub at the Bubuashie Cable and Wireless. The site visits were co-organised by the City of Accra and Slum Dwellers International.
Next steps
The series of workshops will continue to provide local governments, urban planners, and communities with the knowledge and tools needed to make risk-informed decisions in urban planning and management. The next workshop is scheduled for October 2025, focusing on access to finance and the development of action plans.
Group photo of participants | Photo: GIZ – Resilience Initiative Africa
