BRIEFFebruary 18, 2026

Competitive and Livable Cities

Effective urban governance, resilient infrastructure systems, and sound spatial and economic planning are essential for building cities capable of sustaining growth, inclusion, and climate resilience. Urban areas in Europe and Central Asia drive productivity, innovation, and economic opportunity, yet they also face significant constraints such as aging infrastructure, limited housing supply, environmental pressures, and disparities in access to services.

Within this thematic area, the Center supports technical exchange on urban governance, the business ecosystem, and integrated approaches to housing, mobility, public service delivery, and urban climate resilience, with the objective of enhancing the livability, resilience, and economic performance of cities.

Activities