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Urban October

Urban October is an opportunity for everyone to be part of the conversation about the challenges and opportunities created by the fast rate of change in our cities and towns. Each October, everyone interested in sustainable urbanization from national and local governments to universities, NGOs and communities is encouraged to hold or participate in activities, events, and discussions.

The month begins with World Habitat Day on the first Monday of the month, and ends with World Cities Day on 31 October. Activities take place on those specific days or at any time during the month.

The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour award is one of the highlights of the World Habitat Day global observance. The award, a plaque engraved with the name of the winner, is presented to the selected winners during the global observance.

By engaging all stakeholders, cities can harness transformational change and ensure a better life for all in an urbanizing world.

Current Report

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Urban October 2024 report

Global Event highlights

Nairobi, Kenya
Bogota, Colombia

Upcoming events

The global events will be listed here soon. In the meantime, please note that submit your planned event platform will open soon here.

Events by region

Hosaena, Ethiopia

Bungoma, Kenya

Durban, South Africa

Durban, South Africa

Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya

Abuja, Nigeria

Port Louis, Mauritius

Dar Es Salaam, Kinondoni., Tanzania

Tabora, Tanzania

Douala, Cameroon

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brasília, Brazil

Nísia Floresta, Brazil

São João de Meriti, Brazil

Porto Alegre, Brazil

Campinas, Brazil

Nísia Floresta, Brazil

Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico, Mexico

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Istanbul, Turkiye

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Kyiv, Ukraine

Sialkot, Pakistan

Lot 41, kg seri indah,sg terap, batu gajah, Malaysia

Jakarta, Indonesia

Bucharest, Romania

Moscow, Russian Federation

Makhachkala, Russian Federation

Barcelona, Spain

Viladecans, Spain

Winchester, United Kingdom

Explore all events

Numbers by Event type

Numbers by region

Scroll of Honor 2025

The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, launched in 1989, recognizes individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to urban development, including improving the quality of urban life for all and ensuring adequate, affordable, and accessible housing.

View past winners and their achievements here to learn more about the impactful work recognized through this prestigious award.

Nominations for 2025 are now closed. The awards will be presented during the global observance of World Habitat Day on 6 October 2025.

Expressions of Interest

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO HOST WORLD HABITAT DAY 2026

UN-Habitat has officially opened the call for countries to express interest in hosting the global observances of World Habitat Day in 2026. This high-profile event will offer a unique opportunity to put urbanization, housing, and sustainable development issues on the world stage. The call will close on 30 November 2025.

HOW TO APPLY

Countries interested in hosting the global observance of World Habitat Day 2026 are invited to submit their expression of interest using the official guidelines.

Reports