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International Community of Practice for Sustainable Municipal Development |
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE NO. 94, May 2026 |
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Dear Readers, ‘Resilience’ lies at the heart of our current learning processes and discussion forums. In materials science, it refers to materials that return to their original state even after being subjected to extreme stress. Just as trees bend supple in the wind and, after the storm has passed, resume their natural form as if untouched. What does building climate-resilient infrastructure mean for municipalities? We discussed this question with experts, financial institutions and local authorities at the Africa Urban Forum, and it yielded interesting insights into coordinated approaches from technical, financial and participatory perspectives. Nature-based solutions – as a possible answer – are at the heart of our new learning process in Sub-Saharan Africa, which began in April with 20 municipalities. What role can AI play in this context? At the World Urban Forum on 21 May 2026 in Baku, AI-based visualisations will form the basis for critical discussions on affordable and climate-resilient housing. And during a virtual insight session on 9 June, we will explore how digital twins can be used as a tool both for rapid responses in crisis situations and for long-term, risk-informed planning and resilient governance Strengthening the resilience of municipalities to extreme weather events, urbanisation pressures, and technological and hybrid threats is also a central theme of our new learning process in South-Eastern Europe. This will launch in mid-June with a diverse range of local authorities from ten countries. We would also like to invite you to apply for the 2027 Goerdeler Prize. Here too, outstanding examples of resilience in the context of cross-border local authority cooperation will be recognised. We hope you find this an inspiring read and look forward to your participation! Your Connective Cities Team | | |
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REVIEW |
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Technical Support for Climate Resilient Infrastructure |
Connective Cities at GIZ Side-Event at the Africa Urban Forum |
Climate-proofing the built environment: what does it take? At the African Urban Forum (AUF), Connective Cities organised a side event in collaboration with two GIZ partner projects: the Covenant of Mayors Sub-Saharan Africa (CoMSSA) and the Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA). Bringing together experts, financial institutions and local authorities, the event highlighted practical experiences from Embu (Kenya) and eThekwini (South Africa). The discussions focused on how collaborative governance, technical expertise, and innovative financing models can work together to promote climate-resilient infrastructure. |
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INSIGHTS |
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| | From Challenges to Pathways:
Advancing Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Contexts |
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Recap of the Connective Cities Learning Process Kick-off Workshop
in Naivasha, Kenya |
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The Connective Cities learning process on “Nature at the Heart of Urban Resilience” was officially launched through a three-day kick-off workshop held in Naivasha, Kenya from 21 to 23 April 2026, bringing together 20 municipalities and cities from across Sub-Saharan Africa and Germany, alongside over 40 urban practitioners, technical experts, and institutional partners. The workshop marked the starting point of a long-term commitment aimed at supporting local authorities in developing nature-based solutions to their municipal challenges through structured exchange and technical assistance. |
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OUTLOOK |
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| | AI-based Visualisation for Affordable Housing and Informal Settlement Upgrading |
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World Urban Forum 13 | Connective Cities Academy Event
on 21 May 2026, from 09:30 to 11:30 Baku time (UTC+4) |
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At the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) in Baku, Connective Cities will contribute to the official WUF Academy programme with the interactive event “AI-based Visualisation for Affordable Housing and Informal Settlement Upgrading” on 21 May 2026, from 09:30 to 11:30 Baku time (UTC+4). The event is organised by the German Association of Cities in cooperation with Connective Cities and participating cities. Building on the recent Connective Cities working group exchange on affordable housing, the event works with real city cases from Nairobi, Huye, Mariental, Cairo, Hebron and Berlin. AI-generated visual scenarios will serve as a starting point for peer exchange and critical discussion on affordable housing, informal settlement upgrading, land use, density, public space, infrastructure, climate resilience, inclusion, financing, and implementation responsibilities. |
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| | Insight Session – Digital Twins for Risk-Informed Municipal Development |
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Call for participation to the online exchange on AI-driven urban innovation
on 9 June 2026, 14:00 – 15:00 CEST (tbc) |
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How can digital and AI applications help municipalities become more resilient and prepared for future risks? As urban areas face growing climate and infrastructure-related risks, municipalities require digital tools that support rapid emergency response, long-term risk planning, and resilient urban governance. This Insight Session will present the concept of ‘digital twins for risk-informed urban development’ using practical applications and international best practices, including those from the Turkish municipality of Bağcılar. |
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| | Kick-off in Tirana: Strengthening Municipal Resilience Together |
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Dialogue Event launching the regional learning process
in Southeast Europe/ South Caucasus from 16 to 18 June 2026 |
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This dialogue event brings together municipalities of different sizes and structures, as well as representatives from various local public service sectors. Participants include local authorities from Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine, as well as Germany. This diversity enables practical discussions about different framework conditions, institutional structures, and the challenges of local development in the context of growing risks from extreme weather events, urbanisation pressures, and technological and hybrid threats. The kick-off event marks the beginning of a multi-stage learning process and lays the groundwork for future collaboration. It also serves to identify key areas of action and initial concrete steps. Join the discussion – online too! |
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| | Call for Applications: Goerdeler Award 2027 |
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Resilient Municipalities: Municipal Partnerships for Civil Protection, Critical Infrastructure and Crisis Preparedness |
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Connective Cities is pleased to once again support the call for applications for the Municipal Award 2027 of the Carl and Anneliese Goerdeler Foundation Fund (CAG), following its integration into the Leipzig Foundation. The award recognises outstanding achievements in local governance and administration. It highlights innovative and transferable good practices on the theme of ‘Resilient Communities’ developed through cooperation between municipalities — particularly in an international context. The award therefore seeks cross-border municipal partnerships. A prerequisite for application is the involvement of a German municipality or a municipal alliance.The prize includes a high-profile award and is endowed with 2,000 euros. The deadline for applications is 31 August 2026. |
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Engagement Global gGmbH
Service Agency Communities in One World
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 40, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Contact: Sibylle Loyeau
Email: sibylle.loyeau@engagement-global.de Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 32 + 36, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Contact: Ricarda Meissner
Email: ricarda.meissner@giz.de |
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