Connective Cities

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).

Making Kisumu more liveableIn the city centre, the three main streets — Oginga Odinga, Ang’awa Avenue and Jomo Kenyatta ...
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/

🌎🥇Wanted: Urban practitioners from host cities of major sports eventsJoin us to discuss how cities can make major sports...
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!

‘Resilience’ lies at the heart of our current learning processes and discussion forums. In materials science, the term r...
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/

Climate-proofing the built environment: What does it take?At the African Urban Forum (AUF), Connective Cities—alongside ...
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/

⏰ Safe the Date: Connective Cities AI Visualization Session @ World Urban Forum in BakuHow can AI-based visualisation su...
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


Start-up-Expert*in und interessiert am internationalen Fachaustausch? Jetzt freie Plätze auf unserer Dialogveranstaltung...
06/05/2026

Start-up-Expert*in und interessiert am internationalen Fachaustausch? Jetzt freie Plätze auf unserer Dialogveranstaltung sichern!

Freie Hansestadt Bremen und Connective Cities laden zu einer internationalen Dialogveranstaltung ein und es gibt noch freie Plätze für Fachleute aus deutschen Kommunen.

🚀 Thema: Gründung und Innovation: Arbeitsmarktchancen und Perspektive für junge Menschen
📅 30.06. - 02.07.2026
📍 Bremen

Themenschwerpunkte:
🔹 Gründungsinitiativen und Gründungszentren
🔹 Anreize und Unterstützungsangebote von kommunaler Seite für Gründungen und Start-ups

Diskutieren Sie gute Praktiken mit anderen deutschen und internationalen kommunalen Fachleuten (z.B. aus Südafrika und Namibia) und nehmen Sie innovative Lösungen für Ihre eigene Arbeit mit.

⬇️ Alle weiteren Infos: https://www.connective-cities.net/media-center/gruendung-und-innovation-arbeitsmarktchancen-und-perspektive-fuer-junge-menschen/


How can municipalities actively shape the successful and fair immigration of skilled workers and strengthen migrant entr...
04/05/2026

How can municipalities actively shape the successful and fair immigration of skilled workers and strengthen migrant entrepreneurship?

To explore this question, 56 experts from 27 municipalities across 10 countries came together for a virtual Insight Session organised by Connective Cities.
The event created a space for peer learning and practical reflection on how local governments can use their policy leeway to foster inclusive economic development.

The discussions were informed by findings from an IAB study and enriched by examples from the German Pinneberg District, Mersin (Türkiye) and Oberhausen (Germany), Munich (Germany), and Gharb Irbid (Jordan).

💡 In interactive working groups, participants explored concrete strategies to attract international talent, empower migrant-led businesses, and unlock local economic potential.

📄 The event documentation brings together key insights, practical examples, and actionable recommendations to support municipalities in turning migration into a driver of local growth.

👉 Read the full documentation here: https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/skilled-immigration-and-migrant-entrepreneurship-for-local-economic-development-2/

Launch of the learning process “Green corridors in the city and its surroundings”The kick-off served as technical and me...
28/04/2026

Launch of the learning process “Green corridors in the city and its surroundings”

The kick-off served as technical and methodological introduction to the learning process. The aim was to set initial thematic priorities, to make municipal challenges visible and to create a common basis for further cooperation. A central element of the kick-off was the joint AI visualization exercise on green corridors and green neighborhoods. Based on images from urban contexts in their cities, participants developed future scenarios for climate-resilient, greener and more accessible urban spaces. As a methodological tool, the AI visualization helped stimulating discussions on the feasibility of green corridors, which were further enriched by practical examples from German and Egyptian cities.
Learn more: https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/greater-climate-protection-and-quality-of-life-green-corridors-in-the-mena-region/

24 March 2026 was the big day! The in-depth learning process “Water Resilience: Strengthening Municipalities against Dro...
21/04/2026

24 March 2026 was the big day! The in-depth learning process “Water Resilience: Strengthening Municipalities against Drought and Heavy Rainfall Events” kicked off shortly after the World Water Day.

Many major cities are already experiencing severe water stress, and the global demand for water could significantly exceed the available supply by 2030. Water is set to become the defining strategic resource of the 21st century.

As part of our ‘Deep Dive’ on the topic of ‘Water-Resilient Municipalities’, we are bringing together experts from eight municipalities in Benin, Germany, Kenya, India, Serbia and Sri Lanka. Over a two-year period, they will discuss innovative approaches and develop and implement locally tailored solutions to their respective challenges. The first step has been taken.

In the beginning of May, the group of water experts will come together in to initiate the in-person technical exchange. We’ll keep you updated!
https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/online-kick-off-for-municipal-water-resilience/

What does it take to make mobility in our municipalities more sustainable? New technologies? More funding? The will of t...
16/04/2026

What does it take to make mobility in our municipalities more sustainable? New technologies? More funding? The will of the citizens? One answer: We need reliable information to make informed decisions that can bring about targeted changes.

At the end of March, the participants of the learning process “Sustainable mobility – Combination of future-proof mobility forms” took the opportunity to discuss the topic of mobility data management. During the online exchange, a total of 5 municipalities presented concrete aspects of their mobility data management as a basis for transportation planning decisions. Here are the main insights to take away!
https://www.connective-cities.net/en/media-center/shaping-mobility-on-a-sound-basis-decisions-based-on-reliable-information/

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