In a world increasingly affected by climate change and resource scarcity, a corresponding transport revolution is becoming increasingly important. The goal is to reduce emissions and energy consumption while improving quality of life for users, by combining various forms of sustainable mobility. These include electric vehicles, car sharing, bicycles, public transport and walking. Digital technologies can play a key role in ensuring this transition to sustainable mobility is user-friendly, socially balanced and economically efficient.
Although this approach may seem plausible and simple, it is difficult to implement in practice. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to sustainable mobility. Measures must be tailored to the specific needs of citizens, as well as to the existing buildings, infrastructure, and topography of a municipality. Rural communities and districts naturally have different requirements to cities with millions of inhabitants. In Germany, in particular, questions arise regarding intercommunal transport connections, as well as strategies for tourism and regional development. Rapid urbanisation poses additional challenges for many cities in the Global South. Furthermore, municipal budgets are often tight and data is insufficient in both the Global North and South.
38 experts from 20 municipalities in 11 countries accepted Connective Cities‘ invitation to Bonn, where they discussed their innovative project approaches with colleagues and collaborated on new implementation ideas. Represented were small municipalities such as Lahntal with around 7,200 inhabitants, rural districts, and metropolises with millions of inhabitants, such as Rio de Janeiro and Munich. The innovative approaches were equally diverse. The international exchange of experiences provides motivation at a time when sustainability issues are under increasing political pressure. The challenges are surprisingly similar, and solutions are often transferable.
The documentation briefly outlines the different approaches and summarises the challenges and possible solutions.
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
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.
Stefan Wagner, Head of the City of Bonn’s Office for International Affairs and Global Sustainability, warmly welcomed the guests, especially his colleagues from La Paz, Bonn’s twin city. The two cities are already collaborating on numerous sustainability projects. Bonn itself has set itself the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2035, with the aim of achieving 75% CO₂-free mobility by then.
ighlighted the complexity of regional mobility planning in Germany. | Photo: Aschoffotografie, Engagement Global
In his opening speech, Jan Strehmann, Head of Mobility at the German Association of Towns and Municipalities (DStGB), highlighted the complexity of regional mobility planning in Germany. Various levels of government — federal, state, district and individual municipalities — are often involved, either as financiers or planning units. Additionally, municipal and private transport providers frequently collaborate to establish transport associations responsible for providing public inter-urban local transport services. In this context, it is not competition, but rather tailor-made cooperation, that plays a decisive role in ensuring smooth passenger transport.
In her presentation, Melanie Schade, project manager at the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR), introduced Mobilikon. This online encyclopaedia compiles information on mobility in rural areas, helping local authorities to prepare and implement mobility measures more easily. The database contains 104 measures, 110 instruments for their implementation and 79 implementation aids for areas such as external communication and data collection. It also contains 206 practical examples. Various filters, e.g. for spatial structure, costs and implementation duration, facilitate the search for suitable measures.
In his welcoming speech, Jürgen Kretz, the new head of the Countries and Municipalities Division at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, expressed his delight that Connective Cities had entered a new phase in October 2025 and was now more broadly positioned within Germany with three additional partners: the DStGB, the German County Association (DLT), and the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU).
The Connective Cities team led to the technical part of the event and the project presentation.
The participants in front of the old town hall in Bonn | Photo: Aschoffotografie, Engagement Global
Small municipalities such as Schlangen in the Teutoburg Forest in Germany, 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. The free electric line-car-sharing service in Borgholzhausen, unique in Germany, connects rural communities with the nearest train stations. Meanwhile, Kisumu in Kenya has developed a battery exchange model for electric motorcycle taxis; La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, plans to integrate its 36-station cable car network — the largest in the world — more closely with the bus network; and Rio de Janeiro is developing a multimodal network comprising express buses, buses, cycle paths, bicycle parking facilities, and e-bike rentals. Despite or because of the war, Vinnytsia in Ukraine is gradually converting its public infrastructure to make it barrier-free. Monheim is focusing on autonomous shuttle buses and Windhoek in Namibia is providing students with electric bikes on loan. Poti in Georgia and Strumica in North Macedonia are expanding their cycle path networks, while Dortmund is systematically expanding its charging infrastructure for cars and e-bikes. Munich is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to link the various CO₂-free forms of mobility as closely as possible, including through an app and mobility hubs. These are just a few examples of the projects underway.
Despite all the structural, geographical and cultural differences, it quickly became clear during the various experience-sharing sessions that the challenges faced were largely similar. These include:
complex institutional frameworks;
conflicts over the use of limited public space;
lack of standards in data collection and processing;
infrastructure damage due to vandalism and theft;
changing political guidelines and/or unclear legal frameworks;
different and high expectations of stakeholders;
changing the usual behaviour patterns of citizens in terms of mobility;
insufficient financial resources for project implementation;
and finally: obtaining know-how about similar projects.
The last point was largely resolved during the conference. Implementation challenges in Bergholzhauen, Kisumu, La Paz, Munich, Poti, Trabzon (Turkey), Strumica and Windhoek were discussed in depth during peer consultations.
Further project ideas were considered in the action planning stage:
‘Pedestrian Angles’: public relations work to promote walking in Kisumu
Integrated mobility planning with political backing in Windhoek.
Improved data management in Vinnytsia.
Development of safe cycling infrastructure in Poti.
The dialogue event concluded with an excursion to a bus depot operated by Stadtwerke Bonn (SWB), which has charging infrastructure for electric buses. The group also visited the bicycle station (‘Radstation’) at Bonn Central Station and mobility stations offering services such as cargo bicycle rental, secure bicycle parking boxes, car-sharing parking spaces, and municipal charging facilities for electric vehicles in Bonn’s Südstadt district.
Marcella Sobisch, the project coordinator, will continue to supervise the learning process in the coming year and is the contact person for the group and other interested parties: marcella.sobisch@engagement-global.de .
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:
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
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.
With four million inhabitants, the Jordanian capital is home to around 40 per cent of the country’s total population. In 2021, Amman’s city administration, the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), decided to create a VLR – the first in the Arab region. In the summer of 2022, the VLR was finalised and presented together with the Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York.
The VLR has proven to be a complete success – both as an analytical tool and as a process:
An ‘ecosystem’ for collecting validated data has been developed.
Sustainability goals (SDGs) were integrated into various areas of policy, strategy development and administrative action.
New formats for citizen participation were trialled.
New projects and partnerships were initiated and ongoing ones strategically interlinked;
The digitalisation of the administration is very advanced.
The simultaneous creation of VNR and VLR ensured policy coherence and mutual support between the two levels.
On September 25, 2024, the Garowe Municipality officially received the Climate-Sensitive City Development Strategy (CSCD), developed in collaboration with GIZ and the RACCA Working Group. This strategy offers practical solutions to pressing climate challenges in areas such as mobility, waste management, water resources, and green spaces.
Event Highlights:
Presentation of key sectors for climate-friendly urban development in Garowe.
Discussion on sustainable measures to improve urban infrastructure.
Formal handover of the strategy plan to the municipality, promoting the implementation of climate-friendly projects in Garowe.
Expert exchanges and collaborative discussions aimed at ensuring a resilient future for the city.
The ceremony marked the transition from planning to implementation, empowering Garowe in its efforts to become a sustainable and climate-resilient city.
We invite you to read the full publication and documentation of the event to explore the insights and strategies discussed in detail.
Known as “Pompeii of the Middle East”, Jerash in Jordan is a tourist destination due to its well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins. It is a rapidly urbanizing city that is experiencing population growth, accompanied by challenges such as housing shortages, traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and the integration of refugee population. As the city struggles with these complex issues, the municipality has been pursuing innovative and sustainable solutions that prioritize the well-being of its residents while fostering environmental stewardship and economic prosperity. Represented by the local development unit, the municipality has actively participated in many of Connective Cities regional and global activities, enabling it to take away ideas for local projects in the areas of gender-sensitive local economic development, waste management and plastic recycling, paving the way towards becoming a zero-waste municipality. In 2021, the municipality established a sorting station with financial and technical support from the GIZ to construct a waste sorting facility. The municipal waste management team has successfully managed the segregated waste operation during the past years. The operation is sustainable and the revenue from selling the segregated products is covering the operational costs.
