6 May 2016: The Bureau of the Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) issued the “zero draft” of the New Urban Agenda, the expected outcome from Habitat III. The draft provides the basis for discussion at informal hearings with local authorities and the first round of informal intergovernmental meetings, both of which convene in May 2016, in New York, US.

A series of regional and thematic meetings provided input to the Habitat III zero draft, as did policy recommendations elaborated by “policy units” and comments received by participating countries and stakeholders.

The 22-page zero draft includes the ‘Quito Declaration on Cities for All’ and the ‘Quito Implementation Plan for the New Urban Agenda.’ The proposed Declaration includes sections on: vision; transformative commitments; effective implementation, and an urban paradigm shift; and a call for adoption and implementation. The proposed Implementation Plan includes chapters on: Transformative Commitments for Sustainable Urban Development; Effective Implementation; and Follow Up and Review.

On Transformative Commitments for Sustainable Urban Development, a subsection on urban equity and poverty eradication addresses: equitable access to physical and social infrastructure, including adequate housing and shelter, and public spaces; culture, diversity and safety in cities; and strengthened participation. Another subsection addresses sustainable and inclusive urban prosperity and opportunities for all, including: inclusive and sustainable urban economies; urban form and infrastructure for prosperity; enabling the business environment, jobs and livelihoods; and participation for inclusive urban prosperity. A final subsection discusses fostering ecological and resilient cities and human settlements, addressing: ecosystems and cities, including sustainable consumption and production; and resilience to disasters and climate change and other shocks and stresses.

On Effective Implementation, the proposed plan includes subsections on: the urban structure and establishing supportive national, subnational and local, and stakeholder engagement frameworks; planning and managing urban spatial development, including urban planning and management, land, housing, mobility, urban basic services, and culture and heritage; and means of implementation of the New Urban Agenda, including domestic public resources, financial management, partnerships, international development cooperation, and science, technology, innovation and capacity development.

On Follow Up and Review, the implementation plan stresses the need for: a periodic, effective, inclusive, and transparent follow-up and review framework; periodic progress reports on implementation of the New Urban Agenda; continuous strengthening of the international dialogue with local and subnational governments; financial institutions and development banks to incorporate and mainstream the recommendations of the New Urban Agenda in their urban development strategies; and strengthening UN-Habitat.

The informal hearings with local authorities associations are convening from 16-17 May. The first in a series of intergovernmental meetings on the outcome document will take place on 18-20 May. Further intergovernmental negotiations will convene in June and July 2016. The preparatory process will continue until the third session of the Preparatory Committee, which will meet in Surabaya, Indonesia, in July. [Zero Draft of the New Urban Agenda] [Zero Draft Webpage] [IISD RS Coverage of Local Authorities Hearings] [Habitat III Website]