SSIR: Urban Development Needs Systems Thinking

More than 30 years after the Soviet Union’s collapse, cities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia still face economic stagnation, aging infrastructure, and new pressures from climate change and conflict. Traditional urban planning, which often tackles problems in isolation, struggles to respond to these complex, interconnected challenges.

Since 2021, UNDP has worked with 15 cities in the region to take a more systemic approach—advancing portfolios of solutions that align social, environmental, and economic goals. These include transforming biowaste, redesigning streets for cleaner air, and creating green jobs.

Through this work, four key lessons have emerged to help cities move beyond fragmented efforts and embrace inclusive, adaptive urban development. Read the full article published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review.