Urbanisation is a strong transformative force across the globe affecting all types of human settlements. With the migration towards urban areas, strain is put on urban services and land use while many smaller towns must deal with declining populations. In developing countries, the growth of urban centres is currently taking place at a much faster pace, with projections suggesting that urbanisation is unstoppable and must be embraced. Developed countries are facing a similar trend, albeit at a less dramatic pace.

In order to manage this transition sustainably, a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities is needed. As such, UN-Habitat, together with partners, defined the 10 entry points to urban-rural linkages:

• Spatial flows of products, services and information/expertise between urban and rural areas;
• mobility and migration between urban and rural areas;
• food security systems and a “sustainability chain” for all;
• rural urbanisation: the development of small and intermediate towns;
• the urban-rural continuum in the face of conflicts and disasters;
• reducing environmental impacts in urban-rural convergences;
• regional and territorial planning for integrated urban and rural development;
• enhancing legislation, governance and capacity;
• partnerships between urban and rural areas; and
• inclusive investment and finance in both urban and rural areas.

These ten linkages have clear connections to the objectives and ambitions of the ROBUST project, many overlapping with ROBUST’s core topics. In particular, the report mentions the need to avoid “silo thinking”, stressing the importance of synergies not only between topics, but also between planners, researchers, development partners, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society.

For more information and to read the full publication, visit unhabitat.org