Connective Cities

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Connective Cities

International Community of Practice for Sustainable Municipal Development

Connective Cities, the International Community of Practice for Sustainable Urban Development, facilitates practice-oriented sharing of experience between German municipalities and projects of international cooperation, processing new learning experience on effective solutions and feeding them back into the Community of Practice. Connective Cities is a cooperation project of the Deutsche Gesellscha

ft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German Association of Cities (DST) and Engagement Global (EG) with its Service Agency Communities in One World (SKEW). Connective Cities has regional external structures in the focus regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Southeast Europe/Caucasus (SEE). Additionally, Connective Cities is also active in the regions of Asia and Latin America. The cooperation project is carried out on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

24/06/2026

Examining their own challenges in water resilience, learning from experiences on other continents, and finding the courage to put innovative ideas into practice – these were the key elements of the first in-person meeting as part of the Connective Cities Deep Dive, held in Wuppertal from 5 to 7 May 2026.

In early 2026, a total of 16 experts from the German municipalities of Dresden, Wunstorf and Wuppertal, as well as from Akkaraipattu (Sri Lanka), Homa Bay (Kenya), Hyderabad (India), Natitingou (Benin) and Niš (Serbia), have started a two-year long working together to analyse innovative approaches and how they might be implemented. On this basis, they are developing and implementing locally adapted solutions to their respective challenges.

The report describes practical examples from Wuppertal and Leipzig, outlines the planned pilot projects of the six municipalities and summarises the key takeaways from the process so far. Very promising!
https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/newsletter-issue-no-95-june-2026/

22/06/2026

Are AI visualisations useful for facilitating dialogue and transparent, clear decision-making in land-use planning? Or do they oversimplify complex planning realities and suggest solutions before key questions have been clarified? These questions sparked an insightful discussion during the event 'AI-Supported Visualisation for Affordable Housing and Informal Settlement Development', organised by the German Association of Cities in collaboration with Connective Cities at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF) in Baku. Read more in our recap: https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-centre/connective-cities-at-the-world-urban-forum-13-in-baku/

17/06/2026

Local4Action Track – Lab as part of the UCLG World Congress 2026 in Tangier, Morocco

How can municipalities successfully translate strategies and development plans into practical public services? This question will be addressed by the Connective Cities Lab, organised in collaboration with the German Association of Cities, as part of the UCLG World Congress 2026. Municipalities worldwide face similar challenges when it comes to implementing local development plans. In the Lab, international municipalities will share practical experiences: What obstacles did they have to overcome? Which approaches have proven successful? What can be applied to other contexts? Join our discussion in Tangier!

https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/from-challenge-to-practice-how-municipalities-turn-local-plans-into-public-services/

16/06/2026

Water is not only a driver of development; it is increasingly becoming a strategic resource. In this issue, we explore how 16 practitioners from six countries embarked on a two-year deep dive into water resilience. We also review the key insights and debates that emerged from the AI-powered visualisation for affordable housing event at WUF 13, and present an inspiring good practice that is making Kisumu a better place to live. Furthermore, we would like to invite you to participate in expert exchanges on the most effective methods of translating local plans into public services, as well as on the implementation of 'Global Green Sports'.
Get inspired!
https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/newsletter-issue-no-95-june-2026/

08/06/2026

How can digital applications and artificial intelligence help municipalities become more resilient and better prepared for future risks?

Join the next Connective Cities Insight Session to explore how Urban Digital Twins (UDTs) support data-driven urban governance, disaster preparedness, infrastructure planning, and sustainable municipal development.

💡 The session will feature the ongoing work of Bağcılar Municipality (Türkiye), which is developing an AI-supported Digital Urban Twin platform for disaster resilience.

Following the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss how Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence can strengthen risk-informed urban planning and governance.

More information and registration: https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/insight-session-digital-twins-for-risk-informed-municipal-development/

02/06/2026

Making Kisumu more liveable

In the city centre, the three main streets — Oginga Odinga, Ang’awa Avenue and Jomo Kenyatta Avenue — form a triangle around a sports and park area. These streets are used by over 2,200 pedestrians every day. The redesign of this "Walkable Triangle" to be more pedestrian-friendly has made it safer, more pleasant and more accessible, whilst preserving and integrating the existing tree population.

Additionally, the city is promoting e-mobility in public transport by introducing a battery-swapping system for motorcycle taxis, known as ‘boda-bodas’, and three-wheeled taxis, known as ‘tuk-tuks’.

Take a look at this remarkable good practice!

https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/the-walkable-triangle-in-kisumu-kenya/

28/05/2026

🌎🥇Wanted: Urban practitioners from host cities of major sports events

Join us to discuss how cities can make major sports events more sustainable — environmentally, socially, and economically!

From 20–22 October 2026, international municipal experts will come together in Berlin for the dialogue event: “Global Green Sports: Implementing Sustainability Strategies for Major Sports Events”

Organized by Connective Cities together with the Stabsstelle Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung and the Senatsverwaltung für Inneres und Sport SIUS Berlin , the event invites cities from around the world to exchange experiences, showcase good practices, and jointly develop innovative solutions for sustainable sports events.

⚽🏟️ Topics include:
• Political anchoring of sustainability strategies for major sports events
• Operationalisation of said strategies in city administrations and event management
• Public engagement & education formats about sustainable development during major sports events
We are looking for 2 municipal experts per city working in areas such as:
✔️ Event management
✔️ Sports administration
✔️ Sustainability & climate action
✔️ Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

🌐 Why participate?
• Connect with cities from Germany and the Global South
• Learn from urban best practices
• Discuss local challenges with peers and co-create concrete solutions
• Become part of a one-year international learning process including further expert exchange visits and online events

📅 Application deadline: 5 July 2026

➡️ Find more information and the call for participation here:
https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/call-for-participation-global-green-sports-implementing-sustainability-strategies-for-major-sports-events/

Let’s come together in the Sports Metropolis Berlin, learn from each other and shape the future of sustainable sports events!

21/05/2026

‘Resilience’ lies at the heart of our current learning processes and discussion forums. In materials science, the term refers to materials that return to their original state even after being subjected to extreme stress. It is similar to how trees bend in the wind and, once the storm has passed, resume their natural form as if untouched.

So, what does building climate-resilient infrastructure mean for municipalities? What are the most promising nature-based solutions? What role can AI play in this context? What are the most effective responses to technological and hybrid threats?

Find some answers in our latest newsletter! https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/newsletter-issue-no-94-may-2026/

12/05/2026

Climate-proofing the built environment: What does it take?

At the African Urban Forum (AUF), Connective Cities—alongside GIZ partner projects Covenant of Mayors Sub Sahara Africa (CoMSSA) and Resilience Initiatve Africa (RIA)—hosted a side event on “Climate proofing the built environment: Integrated Technical Support for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure.”

Bringing together international experts, development finance institutions, and local administrations, the session highlighted real-world experiences from Embu (Kenya) and eThekwini (South Africa). Discussions focused on how collaborative governance, technical expertise, and innovative financing can come together to support climate-resilient infrastructure.

💡 Key takeaway: Sustainable urban development requires strong partnerships between local governments, financial institutions, and technical actors.

👉 Read more about the insights and discussions here:
https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/climate-proofing-the-built-environment-technical-support-for-climate-resilient-infrastructure/

06/05/2026

⏰ Safe the Date:
Connective Cities AI Visualization Session @ World Urban Forum in Baku

How can AI-based visualisation support municipalities in creating affordable housing and upgrading informal settlements?

Join the discussion at our hybrid WUF Academy event, organised in cooperation with Deutscher Städtetag, the Association of German Cities.

What to expect:
➖ Municipal perspectives from Europe, Sub-Sahara Africa and the MENA region
➖ Critical discussion on opportunities & limitations of AI applications
➖ Interactive AI exercise to create visual urban scenarios
➖ Insights on linking visualisation to implementation

Find out more: https://wuf.unhabitat.org/event/wuf13/ai-based-visualisation-affordable-housing-and-informal-settlement-upgrading

Adresse

Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 36
Bonn
53113

Webseite

http://www.connective-cities.net/en/

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