Toolbox
Formulation of Strategies and Initiatives
Toolbox Themes
- Climate Action
- Urban Nature
- Urban Health
- Socio-spatial Inclusion
- Sustainable Urban Mobility
Objectives
Identify and propose a set of strategies and initiatives oriented towards the fulfilment of the Strategic Development Plan.
Results
Strategies and initiatives aligned with the goals of the Strategic Vision
Description
Based on the goals defined in the vision, the urban development strategy and the definition of development zones, more concrete strategies are proposed, as well as specific initiatives to achieve them. This activity is based on and builds on the inputs obtained previously, including the participatory inputs received during previous activities and workshops, such as proposed ideas and actions in relation to the future city vision, goals, strategies and initiatives to achieve them.
The established vision goals and its spatialisation can be reviewed and adjusted according to the results of the other activities, aligning them to relevant themes of the diagnosis or to complementary and existing plans (for example, the national country vision and regional plan). Then, strategies are established for each of the goals. Strategies are statements that are part of a roadmap that will contribute to achieve the defined goals. These provide more details on how to develop each specific goal. The strategies must be comprehensive and respond to the challenges and needs identified before, as well as be congruent with the municipality's capacity for action.
Next, each strategy should propose a series of initiatives (specific actions, projects, programs) that ground it in a more limited scope and purpose, in an identified time-bound. In Phase 3 Operationalisation, specific targets are defined to evaluate each initiative over time, as part of the plan's evaluation and monitoring framework (Block J Monitoring and Evaluation).
The strategies and initiatives complement the framework of the vision and goals. More detail can be added within each initiative according to the needs and capacities of the team. For example, for each initiative a series of further detailed actions could be added to ground the initiative even more. Strategies and initiatives result from the participatory activities developed previously, as well as from the technical input from the team based on the main findings from the analysis and diagnosis.
The framework of strategies and initiatives can also be represented in maps to identify and spatialise them more concretely.
Steps
- Review the results and inputs gathered from the Strategic Visioning Workshop (Activity 18) and Spatialisation of the Strategic Vision (Activity 19).
- Review the final goals to be incorporated into the plan.
- Review the list of international and national urban planning frameworks (T3 Matrix of References in Legal Framework Review (Activity 2)).
- Develop strategies according to each goal or thematic area established. Strategies must be linked to the established goals and to ongoing or planned projects and programmes at the country, regional or local scale (Use T42 Strategy Formulation Guide).
- Propose initiatives to implement the strategies proposed. These may focus on certain sub-themes. Review T26 Thematic Issues Checklist to make sure they are considered in the strategies and initiatives.
- Consolidate the framework of strategies in a document.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Action:
Cities can focus on developing a strategy that defines specific initiatives for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. These initiatives can integrate a goal and a number of well-defined actions to strengthen sectorial urban resilience.
The resilience strategy can be prepared starting from the identification of specific risk response options based on the results of the T20 Vulnerability Assessment previously prepared in the diagnostic activity. The tool T61 Risk Response Options can facilitate the process to dispose of have a preliminary checklist of possible risk response options.
As a second step, using the tool T62 Resilience Initiatives for the City, the city's stakeholders can categorize the options into specific urban sectors that need to be addressed with disaster risk reduction and climate change initiatives. This process allows to assess the level of integration between disaster risk response and climate action elements within the urban planning framework, the overall institutional arrangements, the cities’ financing system, and the implementation of physical interventions. The evaluation of each sector and the risk response options will help define the final actions to implement.
Tool:
T61 Risk Response Options
T62 Resilience Initiatives for the City
Additional Resources:
Sustainable Urban Mobility
After selecting the most effective scenario from the spatialization phase, targeted strategies and initiatives for sustainable urban mobility should be developed:
- Translate Selected Scenario into Strategies:
Define strategies based on the chosen scenario’s outcomes and city goals, addressing challenges like congestion, emissions, and road safety.
Align strategies with national, regional, or local plans and ongoing initiatives. - Propose Specific Initiatives:
Break strategies into concrete actions, such as building bike lanes, enhancing pedestrian zones, or managing intersections.
Prioritise initiatives based on impact, feasibility, and cost, creating a roadmap for implementation. - Incorporate Feedback and Monitoring:
Use insights from stakeholders to refine strategies and initiatives, ensuring community needs are addressed.
Define measurable indicators (e.g., mode share, emissions, or public transport use) to track progress and adjust as needed. - Visualise and Map Initiatives:
Map strategies and initiatives spatially to clarify their impact and integrate them with broader urban development efforts.
Additional Resources:
Guidelines for Developing and Implementing a SUMP in Kosovo's Cities (Chapter 5)
Kisumu Sustainable Mobility Plan (Chapter 7)
El Estado de la Movilidad Urbana Sostenible en Bolivia Chapter 3
Urban Health
Based on the previous steps conducted, such as determining the health needs and risks from the diagnostic and engaging with stakeholders, identify key priority areas for intervention. This might include improving healthcare access, reducing environmental health risks, addressing health inequities, or enhancing social determinants like education, housing, and employment opportunities. Formulate this into the strategies of the plan, aligned to the established Vision. Goals should be aligned with local health priorities and supported by the evidence provided by the initial data and evidence gathering to ensure effective outcomes.
Additional Resources:
Global framework for the response to malaria in urban areas
COVID-19 Wuhan guidance papers. Emerging experiences on responding to COVID-19 in Chinese Cities and townships
Cities leadership for health and sustainable development
How to develop and sustain healthy cities in 20 steps
Health Indicators of Sustainable Cities
Urban Nature
It is important to establish a framework that includes short-, mid-, and long-term nature-based strategies to guide urban development. Short-term strategies should prioritize immediate, high-impact interventions such as identifying priority areas for action, enhancing urban green infrastructure, restoring degraded ecosystems, implementing nature-based flood management solutions, and safeguarding existing natural assets. These actions can be supported by pilot projects, policy adjustments, and public awareness campaigns to build momentum for larger-scale implementation.
Mid-term strategies should focus on institutionalizing NbS within urban planning frameworks by embedding them in zoning regulations, building codes, and infrastructure design standards. This phase should also involve strengthening governance structures, promoting cross-sectoral collaboration, and integrating NbS into municipal budgets and investment plans. Additionally, mid-term actions should address community engagement and capacity building to ensure sustainable stewardship of natural assets.
Long-term strategies must prioritize the resilience and adaptive capacity of urban ecosystems by embedding NbS within overarching policies and climate adaptation plans. This includes establishing legal protections for critical ecosystems, securing long-term funding mechanisms for conservation and restoration efforts, and promoting sustainable land-use planning that balances urban growth with ecological preservation. Over time, cities should aim to transition towards regenerative urbanism, where natural systems are not only protected but actively contribute to social, economic, and environmental well-being.
Through this, cities can develop strategies that focus on NbS to address urban challenges while enhancing sustainability. T76 Urban Nature Strategies elaborates on effective approaches, options, and examples, providing cities with practical pathways to implement NbS that suit their specific context and needs.
Tool:
T76 Urban Nature Strategies
Additional Resources:
Catalog of Nature based Solutions for Urban Resilience
IUCN Standard for Nature based Solutions
Practical Guide to Implementing Green-Grey Infrastructure
Nature based Solutions for Climate Mitigation
Infrastructure pathways for Nature based Solutions and Resilience
Citywide Public Space Strategies: A Compendium of Inspiring Practices
Citywide Public Space Strategy: A Guidebook for City Leaders
Green City Development Guidelines