United Cities (UCLG)

The second issue of United Cities, the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) magazine, focuses on mobility and urban transport. 

The April edition showcases recent advances in science, technology, research and community participation that demonstrate how cities can improve the efficiency of their transport systems while promoting a sustainable environment.

The issue features an article on UCLG’s city mentorship programme, which is supported which is supported by Cities Alliance and the Government of Norway. Now in its second year, the programme has added new depth to city partnerships by making genuine progress on capacity building and exchange of knowledge.

Unlike with twinning, the mentorship approach begins with a small project, and the relationship develops from there. Top level and political agreements are required before mentoring can begin, but the majority of contact and communication is between experts in the field and civil servants. The programme is also mainly aimed at south-south partnerships.

One example is a mentorship programme between Johannesburg, South Africa and Lilongwe, Malawi, which evolved when the Lilongwe City Assembly requested assistance from Johannesburg in developing a city development strategy (CDS). The CDS was formally launched in 2010, and so far Lilongwe is on the way to achieving five of the key targets from the strategy.

The issue also includes articles such as why road safety should be a priority for city leaders, the viability of electric-powered vehicles in cities; green buses; public and private sector innovations to make car use less attractive to city residents; Guangzhou’s quest to become a low-carbon, intelligent and happy city; and perspectives from UCLG President Kadir Topbas and the organisation’s five new co-presidents on their vision for UCLG and its member cities.