Climate-responsive urban planning model takes centre stage at World Urban Forum

At the heart of the initiative is a shared commitment from cities to fundamentally rethink how urban areas are planned, designed, and managed in the face of accelerating climate risks and rapid urbanisation. Under the initiative, signatory cities commit to:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through compact, polycentric, and connected urban development
• Reducing climate vulnerability through risk-informed, nature-positive, and inclusive planning approaches
• Prioritising regeneration and densification over urban sprawl
• Encouraging mixed-use neighbourhoods and transit-oriented development
• Restricting new development in high climate-risk areas
• Protecting and restoring natural systems that shield cities from extreme weather events
• Expanding adequate and affordable housing to improve quality of life and resilience for vulnerable communities.

The World Urban Forum session highlighted practical examples from participating cities (see full list here) such as Tshwane (South Africa), Fortaleza (Brazil), and Bogota (Colombia) to showcase how local governments are already embedding climate mitigation and adaptation into planning decisions. Discussions also underscored the importance of multilateral collaboration and city leadership in accelerating implementation on the ground.

Tshwane mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said the city is proud to stand alongside other global cities in advancing climate-responsive urban planning: “For us, this is not only about meeting climate targets, but about building a city that is more resilient, more inclusive, and better connected for all residents. We are already driving initiatives aligned with the accelerator’s principles, including strengthening transit-oriented development, protecting environmentally sensitive areas, and promoting more integrated urban growth.

“Through collaboration with other cities, we are showing that local government has a critical role to play in leading the transition towards a more sustainable urban future.”

Evandro Leitão, mayor of Fortaleza, Brazil, said Fortaleza is already replicating the principles of the Urban Planning Accelerator through its recently launched Master Plan, which expands environmental protection areas and guides the city’s sustainable and planned growth, prioritising a more inclusive and resilient urban environment.

“Across the world, mayors are showing that good urban planning is climate action, from creating more connected and inclusive communities, to reducing emissions and protecting people from growing climate risks”

He added: “The Cultural Heritage Preservation Zones in Fortaleza have increased from four to eight areas, expanding protection of the city’s historical and cultural heritage by 504.57 hectares. In addition, the municipality has promoted a 20 per cent increase in Protected Environmental Areas. In the year that Fortaleza celebrates its 300th anniversary, the city receives a major milestone: an urban planning strategy committed to preserving its history and natural resources.”

During WUF in Baku, C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), in partnership with the MDB Cities Group, came together to discuss how collaboration and multi-actor partnerships can help accelerate and unlock finance for urban resilience as part of SDGs in Action dialogue.

“Across the world, mayors are showing that good urban planning is climate action, from creating more connected and inclusive communities, to reducing emissions and protecting people from growing climate risks,” said Mark Watts, executive director of C40 Cities. “The decisions cities make today about how they grow and develop will shape the resilience, health, and prosperity of urban residents for generations to come. This accelerator is helping cities move from outdated models of urban expansion towards a future that is more sustainable, equitable, and resilient.”

Building on the recent report published by C40 Cities on adaptation finance and the 4th high-level roundtable between MDBs and Mayors, the session shared practical examples of project-level and systems-thinking approaches to urban resilience, demonstrating the relevance and importance of multi-actor approaches in tackling the urban climate finance gap and contributing to the newly agreed adaptation finance goal at Cop30.