Digital tools and partnerships support resilient urban transitions in Namibia and Ukraine
Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2026 (HSC) provided a valuable platform for stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange as UNITAC marked the conclusion of the Just Transitions in Vulnerable Places project.
Over the past three and a half years, UNITAC has worked alongside national and local governments in Namibia and Ukraine to co-develop digital tools and urban data platforms that support climate resilience, informal settlement upgrading and urban recovery. The project has contributed to strengthening local capacities and advancing data-driven approaches to sustainable urban development in vulnerable contexts.
During the conference, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach officially handed over the project's final report to Dr Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary at Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ),highlighting the achievements of the partnership and its contribution to just and inclusive urban transitions.
Showcasing digital solutions for urban resilience and recovery
As part of Hamburg Sustainability Week, UNITAC, together with the Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA),hosted the event Digital Tools Showcase: Solutions for Urban Resilience, Recovery and Just Transitions.
The networking event brought together representatives from governments, development partners, international financial institutions and the urban innovation community to exchange experiences, share lessons learned and explore opportunities to scale successful approaches.
A "Voices from the Ground" session featured project partners from the Ukrainian municipalities of Makariv, Irpin, Drohobych and Kamianets-Podilskyi, as well as a representative from the City of Windhoek, who joined remotely. Participants shared first-hand experiences of how locally driven digital transformation initiatives are helping strengthen communities, improve decision-making and support urban recovery efforts.
Key insights from the discussion were captured through a live graphic recording created by a local illustrator, providing a visual narrative of the dialogue and reflections shared during the session.
Participants also had the opportunity to explore UNITAC's digital tools and data-driven methodologies, demonstrating how cities can leverage urban intelligence to support more resilient, inclusive and sustainable development pathways.
Following the showcase, the UN-Habitat Executive Director and members of UNITAC's Project Management Committee met with Ukrainian and Namibian partners to reflect on the collaboration and discuss opportunities for continued engagement.
Photo: UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach hands over the final project report to Dr Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary at BMZ during HSC
Graphic recording from the Digital Tools Showcase event. Illustrator: Jessica Frische
Photo: Organizers, speakers and contributors of the UNITAC and ESRI co-organized panel "From Pilots to Platforms: Scaling Collaborative Urban Intelligence" at HSC
Scaling collaborative urban intelligence
At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, UNITAC and Esri Europe also convened a panel discussion titled From Pilots to Platforms: Scaling Collaborative Urban Intelligence.
The session was opened by UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach and Dr Katharina Stasch, Head of Department Global Alliances, EU and Economic Cooperation at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
With representatives from eThekwini Municipality, the Riga City Development Department, UNITAR, Universitat Jaume and GIZ, the discussion focused on how digital urban solutions can move beyond isolated pilot projects and become embedded in long-term urban development strategies. The panel further explored how partnerships, shared data ecosystems and sustainable financing can help scale digital urban solutions beyond pilot projects and into long-term urban development strategies. The contributors also highlighted the role of collaborative urban intelligence in supporting people-centred digital transformation and strengthening cities' capacity to deliver more inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development.
A key message emerging from the discussion was that scaling collaborative urban intelligence requires more than innovative technology. It also depends on strong partnerships, accessible data, sustainable investment and enabling institutional environments that allow successful solutions to grow and be replicated.
Looking ahead
The week concluded with a joint meeting of UNITAC's Project Management Committee and the UN-Habitat Executive Director, providing an opportunity to reflect on achievements, lessons learned and future priorities.
Building on the results of Just Transitions in Vulnerable Places and looking ahead to its next phase of work, UNITAC remains committed to advancing inclusive, data-driven and people-centred digital transformation to help cities become more resilient, sustainable and equitable.
HSC in pictures
ED statement during HSC2026
