World cities and local governments will gather in Venice to share the way they are innovating public service delivery.
FOUR CITY EXPERIENCES
FOUR CITY EXPERIENCES
Waste management
Waste remains one of the most pressing public service challenges for cities. Rapid growth in demand, insufficient infrastructure, and fragmented institutional responsibility often lead to inadequate collection, disposal, and treatment of solid waste. This can have serious consequences for public health, environmental quality, and social equity. Today, cities are also recognizing the economic and environmental opportunities of new approaches to recycling, waste valorization, composting, and the integration of the informal sector.
Case study: Salvador de Bahia, Brazil
- Cíntia Martins Silva, Cabinet and International Relations Advisor, Municipal Secretariat for Sustainability, Resilience, and Animal Welfare, Municipality of Salvador de Bahia
- Ivan Pereira de Paiva, Municipal Secretary for Sustainability, Resilience, and Animal Welfare, Municipality of Salvador de Bahia
Moderates: Michele Candotti, Former Director, WWF Italy and Former Chief of Staff, UNDP and UNEP
Invited feedback from: Abuja (Nigeria), Čajetina (Serbia), Cape Town (South Africa), San Miguelito (Panama), Usulután Norte (El Salvador)
Reaching those who need it the most
Local governments play a central role in reducing inequalities and giving opportunities to all. Equal access to public services is key to dismantling structural barriers and giving dignity to all residents, regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
Case study: New York City, USA
- Jenna Gogan, Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, City of New York
- Chloe Ivanson, Office of Mass Engagement, City of New York
Moderates: Diana Lopez, Advisor, Cities and Local Governments, UNDP
Invited feedback from: Buenos Aires (Argentina), Cali (Colombia), Ghent (Belgium), Memphis (USA), Mexico City (Mexico), Montevideo (Uruguay), Sarıçam (Türkiye)
CLEAN AND AFFORDABLE WATER
Access to safe and adequate water remains a fundamental development challenge in many cities. Local governments often bear primary responsibility for water service delivery, yet face significant constraints in terms of financing, institutional capacity, and infrastructure coverage and sustainability. But cities are also at the forefront of innovating access to water, inventing new ways to work with communities, lowering prices, ensuring service, and fighting climate change.
Case study: Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana
- Isaac Aidoo, Senior Development Planning Officer, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly
- Elizabeth Arthur, Metro Statistics Expert, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly
Moderates: Claire Frost, Head of Programmes, Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF)
Invited feedback from: Bogota (Colombia), Karakalpakstan (Uzbekistan), Lamu (Kenya), Miami-Dade (USA), Windhoek (Namibia)
Urban mobility
Urban mobility is the basis of economic productivity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. As cities expand, local governments face mounting pressure to design and operate public transport systems that are safe, affordable, low-carbon, and accessible to all. From bus rapid transit corridors to cycling infrastructure, from demand-responsive services to integrated mobility platforms, the landscape of urban transport innovation is evolving rapidly.
Case study: Singapore
- Gui Ping Chiam, Senior Manager, Transport Planning Strategy, Land Transport Authority (LTA), Government of Singapore
- Harini Ravichandran, Senior Assistant Director, Centre for Livable Cities, Singapore
Moderates: Maria Alejandra Rico, Head of Programmes, United Cities and Local Governments
Invited feedback from: Barcelona (Spain), Beira (Mozambique), Bogota (Colombia), Guangzhou (China), Xianning (China)
WHY VENICE?
The city of Venice is unique not only for its cultural heritage and environment but also for the challenges it faces and its remarkable resilience in adapting to them over the centuries. UNDP has a long tradition of organizing events in the city, such as the Venice City Solutions and the SDG Pavilion. The year 2026 will mark the first time the Winter School format is held, focusing on how cities are innovating in public services.
The city of Venice is unique not only for its cultural heritage and environment but also for the challenges it faces and its remarkable resilience in adapting to them over the centuries. UNDP has a long tradition of organizing events in the city, such as the Venice City Solutions and the SDG Pavilion. The year 2026 will mark the first time the Winter School format is held, focusing on how cities are innovating in public services.
THE WINTER SCHOOL
Open to 120 representatives from cities, local and regional governments, and their associations.
Focus on four city services that will be shared and analyzed by cities worldwide.
An opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of how other cities deliver public services.
Explore innovative data visualizations on the impact of city work on people’s lives.
Open to 120 representatives from cities, local and regional governments, and their associations.
Focusing on four city services that will be shared and analyzed by cities worldwide.
An opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of how other cities deliver public services.
Explore innovative data visualizations on the impact of city work on people’s lives.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
INCLUSION
WATER
MOBILITY
WASTE MANAGEMENT
INCLUSION
WATER
MOBILITY
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