Planning Sustainable Cities - Global Report on Human Settlements 2009

This UN-HABITAT publication notes that traditional approaches to urban planning (particularly in developing countries) have largely failed. According to the report, these approaches have been unsuccessful in promoting sustainable human settlements and to addressing 21st century challenges including rapid urbanisation, climate change and related disasters, urban sprawl, and unplanned peri-urbanisation.

Planning Sustainable Cities also reviews recent urban planning practices and approaches. While discussing their constraints and conflicts, the report identifies innovative approaches that are more responsive to current challenges of urbanisation.

In conclusion, the report argues that new approaches to planning can only be considered successful if they are participatory and inclusive as well as linked to contextual socio-political processes.