Issue Papers
The Habitat III Issue Papers are summary documents that addressed research areas, highlighted general findings, and identified research needs on topics related to housing and sustainable urban development. Through its Task Team on Habitat III, the United Nations system collaborated on the preparation of the Issue Papers. These were vital documents in the Habitat III process, having established in-depth review and analysis on specific relevant issues, and ultimately serving as the foundation for the work of the Policy Units.
The Issue Papers were considered stocktaking documents highlighting and addressing significant urban issues and general findings by identifying research needs on housing and sustainable urban development. They were led or co-led by the United Nations agencies, funds, and programmes which formed part of the United Nations Task Team for Habitat III. This publication summarizes the process of elaboration and includes the final submitted version of each Habitat III Issue Papers.
Download PDFThe Process
The Habitat III Secretariat collaborated with over 100 United Nations urban experts from 28 different agencies, funds, and programmes through the United Nations Task Team to prepare a series of Issue Papers. This resulted in a compendium of summary documents that provided background and knowledge, key challenges, and recommendations on the most significant urban topics taken into consideration within the Habitat III preparatory process.
A total of 22 Issue Papers were developed, with United Nations agencies serving as lead, co-lead, or contributing agencies in each one. These papers provided in-depth review and analysis of specific issues relevant to the discussions of the Conference and served as the departing point for the work of the Policy Units.
| Areas | Issue Papers | Policy Units |
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1. Social Cohesion and Equity – Livable Cities |
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2. Urban Frameworks |
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3. Spatial Development |
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4. Urban Economy |
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5. Urban Ecology and Environment |
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6. Urban Housing and Basic Services |
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Methodology
The Issue Papers were prepared by the UN agencies and programmes (UN Task Team on Habitat III), as well as several experts and organizations related to the different topics.
The methodology of elaboration of the Issue Papers was in line with the elaboration of the compendium of issues briefs prepared by
the United Nations inter-agency Technical Support Team for the United Nations General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals.
The Issue Papers provide with a background on each area analyzed, key challenges and recommendations on next steps.
Comments from Member States on Issue Papers
Comments by Stakeholders on Issue Papers
- Association for Settlements and Housing Activities
- Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy
- Commonwealth Association of Planners
- Habitat International Coalition
- Huairou Commission: Women, Homes and Community
- International Alliance for Women
- International Society of City and Regional Planners
- Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies
- International Movement of Catholic Student Movement – Pax Romana and International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA)
- World Resources Institute