Blog

This blog is a space for knowledge-sharing, opinion, advocacy and debate, both between UCLG members and the wider international local and regional government community. Contributions and comments are welcome from anyone who is interested in how sub-national governments can make the world a better place for their citizens.

Read on to discover the most varied, up-to-date and innovative initiatives of local governments and their partners from across the globe.

Europeanization and Multilevel Governance: Trying to Make Sense of International Activities of European Local Governments
Blog
Local Governance - 07/12/2014
Local and regional governments have progressively become more active in the European arena. The evolution of mechanisms used by cities and towns illustrates the complexity of the international relations of local and regional governments. (+)
Josep Roig, UCLG Secretary General
Cities will lead global transformations
Blog
Urban Agenda, Sustainable urbanization - 31/12/2014
The international community has declared October 2014 the “urban” month; 31 days of reflection on the challenges, opportunities and future of urban issues – issues of vital importance to create a sustainable future in an increasingly urbanizing world. UCLG has decided to make the most of this urban month to influence the inclusion of an urban development goal (#urbanSDG) in the new development agenda. (+)
Greg Clark
The Making of World City: London 1991 to 2012
Blog
Sustainable urbanization - 31/10/2014
I am delighted that Wiley Blackwell will publish my book about London’s last 25 years in December 2014. Cities are a compelling phenomenon of the current era. The age of globalisation is also an age of globalising cities but the science of cities is only slowly emerging; there is limited understanding of how and why some cities succeed and others fail. (+)
Guangzhou Award for urban innovation
Inside the Guangzhou Award for urban innovation
Blog
Urban innovation - 23/10/2014
Can an award system for distinctive city innovations go beyond capturing headlines for winners? Can it develop into an ongoing system of learning for cities around the world, inspiring new ways for them to deal with tough social, economic and environmental challenges? (+)
Cities Diplomacy Series
How cities and digital influencers are paving the way for a global agenda on urban matters
Blog
- 07/10/2014
In the following post, Pablo Chillón shares the results of his recent investigations into the attributes and characteristics of the lobby strategies developed by cities and the goals of city advocacy, as well as the extent of and insights into the global performance of true urban diplomacy by cities. (+)
World Cities Day
UN Puts Sustainable Urbanisation on the Map with World Cities Day
Blog
Urban Strategic Planning, Sustainable cities, Urban SDG - 29/09/2014
For the first time ever, the United Nations has declared 31 October ''World Cities Day'', recognising and highlighting the critical role that cities and smart urban planning have to play in sustainable development. To coincide with World Cities Day, UN Habitat and the Guardian also put out a call for the best existing urban ideas. (+)

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