Middle East and North Africa

Dynamic collaborations, promoting innovation and growth among network members, with visible influence on the localization of the SDGs and the enhancement of members' expertise.

The members of the MENA regional network address key issues of sustainable urban development, from promoting the local economy to reducing urban heat. By exchanging experiences, sharing good practices, and developing practical solutions, valuable peer-learning takes place. This collaborative process allows members to learn from successful strategies and develop innovative, actionable solutions. Concrete answers to sustainability challenges are found which lead to more resilient and livable cities.

View of Al Karak from Al Karat Hill Dmitry Chulov

In eleven thematic working groups, network members leverage their collective knowledge to transfer, improve, and share good practices. In addition to tailored technical and financial advice for fundraising, virtual and in-person events are organized to foster exchange. Topics such as digitalization of municipal services, biodiversity, circular economy, corporate social responsibility, destination management, and women’s leadership in municipalities are in focus.

At a Glance:

Strengthening and dynamic knowledge network
Systematic support for developing practical solutions
Bridging supply and demand for practical experiences on various topics of sustainable urban development
Agile working formats, including online and offline digital exchanges
Visible influence on the localization of SDGs and the enhancement of members’ expertise

About the Region

There are several challenges and opportunities for promoting sustainable urban development in the MENA region. Rapid urbanization, a young population, climate change, and governance issues are key factors influencing the region's development path. Climate change poses significant risks, including rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events. These impacts exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in water and food security, which are likely to disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations. Urban governance often suffers from centralization and lack of local autonomy, hindering effective urban management and development. However, there are opportunities for transformative change through improved governance, strategic planning, digital transformation, and leveraging the young and urbanizing population of the region.

Husam Shweiki Stadtverwaltung Hebron, Westjordanland

Connective Cities inspires us to think beyond our municipal work. Although we focused on specific areas in our work, the Connective Cities network enabled us to broaden our horizons, especially since the examples presented are from cities that are facing similar situations to ours.

Regional Learning Process

in Middle East and North Africa

Maßnahmen für kühle Städte: Wege zur Kohlenstoffreduzierung in Gebäuden und zur Verbesserung des thermischen Komforts im Freien

Measures for Cooler Cities 

As part of the "Action for Cool Cities" learning process, municipalities participated in various modules to develop solutions for climate-friendly urban design. The first step was a virtual kickoff event where good practices for reducing CO2 emissions and improving outdoor comfort were presented. In a subsequent workshop in Amman, participants developed ideas and prototypes to design climate-friendly public spaces, improve communication between urban departments, and optimize building code regulations.

The municipalities developed actionable concepts and tested them in an iteractive process.

Learn more

International learning process

Deep Dive

Heat in the City

Six cities – Lüdenscheid and Heidelberg (Germany), Aswan (Egypt), Nairobi and Mombasa (Kenya), and Lviv (Ukraine) – are collaborating from mid-2023 to 2025 as part of the "Heat in the City" learning process.

They are analyzing the effects of heatwaves and urban heat islands in their cities and developing tailored solutions for their local contexts. The goal is to promote urban adaptation to the challenges of climate change.

Learn more