The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is set to mobilize stakeholders in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe to improve urban living conditions through UN-Habitat’s Quality of Life Initiative, according to Capital newspaper.
UN Habitat says the implementation of Quality of Life Initiative provides a comprehensive framework for cities to follow to assess and improve the quality of life for all inhabitants. It also provides "guidelines that offer policymakers, urban planners and community leaders practical steps and a comprehensive roadmap for cities to adopt the Quality of Life Index. The step-by-step process is designed to support local governments, urban planners and community leaders in assessing and enhancing urban well-being through a series of practical actions."
Ensuring urbanization leads to better living standards remains a pressing challenge, amid fast growth of African cities. The Quality of Life Initiative equips local authorities with the data and insights they need to ensure that urban expansion benefits every resident.
What sets the Index apart is its adaptability. It combines global benchmarks from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with local priorities identified by city stakeholders, enabling each municipality to develop a bespoke index that reflects its unique context, values and priorities. This evidence-based approach enables local authorities to make targeted decisions and measure their precise impact.
A report by the UN Habitat indicates that the Quality of Life Initiative scales to 100 cities in 40 countries into 2025.
The Quality of Life Initiative scales to 100 cities in 40 countries into 2025.