Some of the big work left undone by the Habitat III summit in finalizing the New Urban Agenda in December is now moving forward. The future of the New Urban Agenda and UN-Habitat can now start to take shape.
"Almost six months after the United Nations adopted a new 20-year urbanization strategy, U. N. Secretary General António Guterres this week made his first official pronouncement on cities," reports Gregory Scruggs.
"Guterres announced Wednesday the composition of a highly-anticipated eight-member panel that will assess the future of the lead agency on urbanization, UN-Habitat," explains Scruggs. "The result of the panel’s assessment will have a significant impact on oversight of that 20-year strategy, the New Urban Agenda."
The article includes more details about the interim between the signing of the New Urban Agenda, in December, and the announcement about the new panel earlier this month. The members of the panel have also been announced, and it includes some names that will be familiar to Planetizen readers, like Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Peter Calthorpe, founding member of the Congress for New Urbanism.
FULL STORY: Panel’s formation marks turning point in confusion over New Urban Agenda monitoring

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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