The Council on Urban Initiatives is a research and advocacy platform supporting international, national and local actors to deliver transformative change towards a green, just and healthy urban future.
Co-organised by UN-Habitat, the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) and LSE Cities, the Council is comprised of mayors, academics and practitioners, and is co-chaired by Ricky Burdett and Mariana Mazzucato.
The Council’s work is centred on three interrelated themes: environmental sustainability (the green city), health and well-being (the healthy city), and social justice (the just city).
The Council’s work is organised around three objectives:
To highlight the barriers to progressive transformation in cities and to explore new approaches to accelerate the pace and scale of urban change.
To support the international community of urban agencies, practitioners and policymakers to advocate for just, healthy and green cities.
To engage wider audiences in urban debates and promote their active involvement in shaping urban agendas and futures.
The Council participates in key global forums and engages with city governments on urban issues. Read about the Council’s engagements, outputs and events.
Bringing together mayors, social scientists, designers and educators, ‘Governing, Designing and Educating Urban Futures’ will investigate how innovations in urban governance, planning and education can bring about transformative change, with an emphasis on new, inclusive and socially progressive narratives.
Mariana Mazzucato and Leilani Farha presented a high-level summary of the “Right to Housing: A Mission-Oriented and Human Rights-Based Approach” working paper during a session on housing systems in southern Europe at the International Social Housing Festival.
Council Co-chairs, Ricky Burdett and Mariana Mazzucato deliver keynote speeches on housing at the UN-Habitat Assembly, a quadrennial meeting of member states convened to set urban policy and identify priority areas for UN-Habitat's policy work.
The Council on Urban Initiatives produces a range of resources, including case study reports and working papers, designed to inform green, healthy and just transformation in cities.
Authored by Co-Chair Mariana Mazzucato and Council Member Leilani Farha, this working paper brings together human rights and missions to equip all levels of governments to deliver secure, affordable, dignified and sustainable housing for all.
The Council on Urban Initiatives is currently constituted by 18 members. The initial membership will be expanded to ensure wider diversity, as well as regional and professional representation.
The Council on Urban Initiatives is a collaborative partnership established in November 2021 between UN-Habitat, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose and LSE Cities at the London School of Economics and Political Science. The Council’s work is supported by Impact on Urban Health.