Urban-Rural Linkages Guiding Principles - Framework for Action to Advance Integrated Territorial Development

UN-Habitat initiated and led the process to develop the “Urban-Rural Linkages: Guiding Principles and Framework for Action,” engaging over 130 actors. These included experts in urban, rural, and territorial development, representatives from national and sub-national governments, development partners, think tanks, academia, and intergovernmental organizations. The "Urban-Rural Linkages: Guiding Principles and Framework for Action" base their approach on the idea that development plans, policies, and strategies should not treat urban and rural areas as separate entities. Instead, the goal is to leverage the combined synergy of these areas, ensuring that everyone benefits from the circular flow along the urban-rural continuum.

The Guiding Principles aim to inform pragmatic strategies and propose a Framework for Action to create an enabling environment for more inclusive and functional urban-rural linkages. The principles remain flexible and can be applied by stakeholders at all levels and scales. Although designed for universal application, the principles outline distinct roles and actions for national and local governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations.

Below, you can find the "Urban-Rural Linkages: Guiding Principles to Advance Integrated Territorial Development" publication in English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese, which UN-Habitat launched in May 2019 during the UN-Habitat Assembly.