Urban Planning and design are of utmost importance for the creation of socially inclusive, resilient, economically prosperous and energy-efficient cities that maximize the benefits of agglomeration, minimize the demand for urban mobility and transport, and provide conditions necessary for urban economic growth and job creation.

As sustainable urban development remains one of the most pressing global challenges of the twenty-first century, national governments and their partners must consequently pay greater attention and make joint efforts to build greener, more harmonious, equitable, inclusive and environment-friendly cities.