Did you know that by 2050, an additional two billion people are expected to live in informal settlements? Furthermore, two-thirds of the infrastructure needed in Africa by that year has yet to be constructed, while the buildings and construction sector currently contributes 37% of energy-related CO2 emissions. These pressing challenges require urgent action.
To tackle these issues, GIZ, on behalf of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), hosted a peer-learning webinar series throughout 2024. This series focused on practical strategies for equitable and sustainable urban planning, construction, and financing. The five webinars aimed to engage subnational governments in implementing global development and climate agendas.
The series’ “community of practice” successfully engaged over 600 participants from various regions of the globe, reflecting a remarkable diversity of perspectives. Nearly 40% of participants hailed from African countries, while 14% were from Asia and 9% from Latin America. The attendees represented a wide array of stakeholders, including governmental organizations, non-profit entities, academic institutions, and the private sector. Each webinar served as a dynamic platform for cross-sectoral collaboration, fostering mutual learning and innovation.
The series was supported by Cities Alliance, ICLEI Africa, the ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center, the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF), and the City Diplomacy Lab.
Learn more about the series’ webinars:
- March: Sustainable Construction in Informal Urban Areas • Recording
- June: Inclusive Nature-Based Solutions • Recording
- August: Bottom-Up Action for Just Urban Development • Recording
- September: Gender and Sustainability in Urban Development • Recording
- November: Overcoming Barriers to Housing Finance • Recording
