Navigating Urban Development

The world is facing rapid urbanization and an escalating climate crisis.

According to UN-Habitat, by 2050 around 70 percent of the world's population - some 6.7 billion people - will be living in cities, putting enormous pressure on infrastructure, resources, and the environment. The question is no longer whether cities must change, but how - and how to drive that change swiftly and effectively.

This book explores how sustainable urban transformation can be achieved through global collaboration, innovative research, and a focus on impact on the ground. It was compiled as a result of the SURE Facilitation & Synthesis research project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space as part of the Sustainable Development of Urban Regions (SURE) funding priority.

Drawing from ten research projects in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, Navigating Urban Development offers insights into how diverse actors are co-creating solutions for more resilient, inclusive urban futures. By linking theory and practice, it offers conceptual grounding, case studies, and hands-on tools for navigating complexity and inspiring lasting change not only in East and Southeast Asia, but also in other regions.