International Community of Practice for Sustainable Municipal Development

NEWSLETTER – ISSUE NO. 96, July 2026

REVIEW

Driver of Green Transformation:
Connective Cities Expert Mission in Waterberg

Communal Dialogue on Green Hydrogen and
Sustainable Economic Development

From 8 to 12 June 2026, Connective Cities organised an international expert mission in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Waterberg District Council. The mission aimed to support economic transformation and green industrial development at a local government level. The mission brought together municipal representatives, researchers, and experts from industry and practice from South Africa and Germany to share knowledge and identify the economic potential of green hydrogen. The mission concluded with a strategy workshop, during which participants created a 36-month regional development roadmap.

The lab focused on a challenge shared by local authorities worldwide: strategies and development plans are in place – yet translating them into effective, inclusive and sustainable public services is often a complex task. The session therefore deliberately centred on concrete experiences of implementation, challenges and collaborative learning. Among other things, the discussion covered examples from waste management in the city of Krefeld, the Kiunga Solar-Powered Desalination Initiative in Lamu County, Kenya, and the implementation of infrastructure projects in the municipality of Pékine in Senegal. The lab highlighted how international municipal exchange can go beyond traditional ‘good practice’ presentations, with local authorities speaking openly about challenges and working together to find solutions.

From 30 June to 2 July 2026, around 35 experts from 11 local authorities and seven countries gathered in Bremen to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and develop new approaches together. The event focused on the opportunities that start-ups and entrepreneurship create for employment, economic development, and social participation among young people. A key finding was that, despite differing local conditions, municipalities around the world face many similar challenges. Young entrepreneurs need access to advisory services, networks, financing, suitable infrastructure, and practical education. Municipalities play a crucial role as facilitators, supporters, and enablers of thriving local entrepreneurial ecosystems. The event marked the launch of a new Connective Cities learning process.

INSIGHTS

Bağcılar is one of Istanbul’s most densely populated districts, with approximately 710,000 inhabitants. Located on the coast of the Sea of Marmara, it covers an area of about 22 square kilometers. As a municipality in a region with a high risk of earthquakes, Bağcılar faces the urgent task of taking precautions to protect its population and urban systems in the event of a crisis. With their ‘Digital Urban Twin Platform’, the administration aims to enable faster assessment of situations in emergencies and disasters. Digital simulation of risk scenarios – such as tsunamis following earthquakes – allows for improved civil protection measures and necessary adjustments to urban systems. Furthermore, continuous digital monitoring of building conditions enables the identification of heat islands, for example, and supports the efficient planning of photovoltaic systems.

From 22 to 25 June 2026, the World Congress of the World Organisation of Local Authorities (United Cities and Local Governments, or UCLG) took place in Tangier, Morocco. With the theme of ‘A New Generation of Universal Local Public Services’, the event attracted over 3,000 delegates from around the world. Alongside the technical discussions in numerous barcamps and side events, and the many networking opportunities, the Congress marked the beginning of a new governance cycle for the international local government movement. Another significant event was the inaugural UCLG Women’s Assembly, which convened female mayors, governors, and other female local decision-makers from across the globe. The focus was on exchanging views on local gender equality policies, empowering women in political leadership roles and developing the Feminist Municipal Movement within the UCLG further.

OUTLOOK

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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