The New Urban Agenda represents a shared vision for a better and more sustainable future. If well-planned and well-managed, urbanization can be a powerful tool for sustainable development for both developing and developed countries.

The NUA is an inclusive, action-oriented, and concise document intended to give guidance for sustainable and transformative urban development worldwide. It has a strong focus on the inclusion and participation of stakeholder groups, civil society, and grassroots organizations. Sub-national and local governments are supported as strategic and operational partners for implementation, along with national governments.

Thinking urban means thinking decades ahead:

1. Urbanization is an unprecedented challenge. By the middle of the century four of every people might be living in towns and cities, and the great majority of slum dwellers in 2030 will be Asian or African. Urbanization and development are inextricably linked and it is necessary to a way of ensuring the sustainability of growth. Urbanization had become a driving force as well as a source of development with the power to change and improve lives. Cities today occupy approximately only 2% of the total land, however:

Rethinking the urban agenda is:

 

2. Urbanization goes beyond urban. By embracing urbanization at all levels of human settlements, more appropriate policies can take advantage of urbanization across physical space, bridging urban, peri-urban and rural areas, and assist governments in addressing challenges through national and local development policy frameworks.

3. The NUA integrates equity to the development agenda. Equity becomes an issue of social justice, ensures access to the public sphere, extends opportunities and increases the commons.

4. Fostering national urban planning and planned city extensions.

5. Deciding how relevant sustainable development goals will be supported through sustainable urbanization.

6. Aligning and strengthening institutional arrangements with the substantive outcomes of Habitat III, so as to ensure effective delivery of the new Urban Agenda.

Implementing the urban agenda means:

7. Urban Rules and Regulations. The outcomes in terms of quality of an urban settlement is dependent on the set of rules and regulations and its implementation. Proper urbanization requires the rule of law.

8. Urban Planning and Design. Establishing the adequate provision of common goods, including streets and open spaces, together with an efficient pattern of buildable plots.

9. Municipal Finance. For a good management and maintenance of the city, local fiscal systems should redistribute parts of the urban value generated.

With the consideration of:

10. National Urban Policies. These establish a connection between the dynamics of urbanization and the overall process of national development.