Urban Land

Urban Land Management: Building the Foundations for the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda  
Land is fundamental for the enjoyment of a wide range of human rights and a key foundation in tackling urbanization challenges. However, this is not always reflected in policies that address urban realities and city needs. Governance of land is central to reducing inequalities, multi-dimensional poverty, and the realization of human rights, including the right to an adequate standard of living for all (e.g. housing) and the right to adequate food and environmental sustainability. It is important to harness sustainable and transformative urbanization and to improve municipal revenues. Since land cuts across all sectors of urban development, urban land management offers a unique opportunity to  reinvigorate the commitment towards urban land management. The inter-dependence of urban and rural areas economically, socially, and environmentally continues to increase as cities continue to expand. Sustainable urban development, therefore requires consideration of the carrying capacity of the entire ecosystem supporting such development, including the prevention and mitigation of adverse environmental impacts occurring outside urban areas and enhancing municipal revenues. This calls for the adoption of land management and planning tools that are innovative and fit-for-purpose.                               
The development of the New Urban Agenda has been an inclusive process involving participation from  all relevant actors at every level, including key land actors, women and grassroots organizations and stakeholders. The process includes substantial contribution from multiple issue papers, policy units, and regional meetings as well as constant advocacy and information sharing with partners and civil society. This reaffirms global commitment to sustainable urban development in an integrated and coordinated manner at global, regional, national, sub-national, and local level.  This special session will therefore bring together a variety of actors from all over the world to discuss key urban land challenges and opportunities, in addition to taking stock of achievements in entrenching core messages on equal rights and access and control of land within the context of the New Urban Agenda. The Session will identify specific actions and recommendations for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

Guiding Questions
·       What is needed to address land issues for the New Urban Agenda to be a game changer?
·       How does urban land management contribute to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda?
·       What are the key implementation challenges and opportunities for urban land management?.
·       Who are the main actors in urban land management? And what are their key roles? How can we ensure women’s groups and grassroots organizations’ full participation in urban land management?
·       How should  urban land management issues be addressed? What are the critical innovations or potential solutions needed? What specific urban land management actions can be put in place through the implementation of the New Urban Agenda?
·       How can the Sustainable Development Goals, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security and other frameworks be used to support urban and rural dynamics?