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Jeddah has joined the Urban Planning Accelerator, a global initiative for climate-responsive urban planning launched by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and C40 Cities, a global network of nearly 100 mayors driving the future of city climate action.The Urban Planning Accelerator builds on the partnerships and practical approaches of the Jameel C40 Urban Planning Climate Labs, established in 2023 by C40 and Community Jameel to support cities in translating sustainable urban planning into concrete, implementable policies and action on the ground. The Community Jameel Saudi Foundation contributed to facilitating the collaboration between the Labs and Jeddah’s Municipality.Cities across South and West Asia face extreme heat, water stress and rapid urbanisation. In Jeddah, these risks are further compounded by fast urban growth along the vulnerable Red Sea coastline. By joining the accelerator, alongside 32 global cities, Jeddah aims to fast-track climate-responsive urban planning to prioritise people, the planet, and shared prosperity.The Urban Planning Accelerator supports cities in developing more resilient and sustainable urban environments. It provides practical guidance for mayors and city planners on reducing emissions, adapting to climate risks and restoring ecosystems. The programme encourages compact, connected and people-centred cities that are healthier, more resilient, and easier to navigate.A key resource for participating cities is the work generated by the Jameel C40 Urban Planning Climate Labs, which have guided planning decisions benefitting more than 4 million people in Amman, Jordan, and Chennai, India.The labs have supported policymakers in shaping statutory planning documents, zoning regulations and investment priorities; providing detailed greenhouse gas inventories; climate risk assessments; and other evidence-based tools.This work is expected to reduce millions of tonnes of emissions over the coming decades while lowering exposure to climate risks such as extreme heat and flooding in both Amman and Chennai. The Jameel C40 Labs’ methodologies and insights are now being scaled globally through the accelerator, allowing participating cities, including Jeddah, to leverage climate data, analytical tools and knowledge-sharing platforms developed by the labs and adopt and replicate proven solutions within their local contexts.Jeddah and other cities joining the accelerator will also utilise the Climate Action Guide for Urban Planners, which was developed by the Jameel C40 Urban Planning Climate Labs’ co-founders C40 Cities and Community Jameel, in partnership with UrbanShift. The guide, which was launched at the 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt in November 2024, provides a practical framework for embedding climate action across all stages of urban plan preparation.Jeddah Municipality stated: “Joining the Urban Planning Accelerator represents a pivotal step in Jeddah’s journey toward a sustainable and resilient future. By integrating the evidence-based methodologies developed through the Jameel C40 Urban Planning Climate Labs, we are ensuring that our city’s rapid growth is matched by a sophisticated, climate-responsive strategy. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, this collaboration allows us to safeguard our unique Red Sea coastline and enhance the quality of life for all residents through urban planning that prioritizes people, health, and environmental stewardship.”Nader Diab, Head of Programmes at Community Jameel, said: “We are pleased to see the city of Jeddah join the Urban Planning Accelerator. As the home of the Jameel family, this is a significant milestone to us at Community Jameel and marks a continuation of the work developed through the Jameel C40 Urban Planning Climate Labs. By helping connect cities with initiatives such as the accelerator, we aim to bridge the gap between local municipalities and the resources and networks needed to adopt evidence-informed approaches to sustainable urban planning.”Dr. May Taibah, a member of the board of Trustees of the Community Jameel Saudi Foundation, added: “Saudi cities are on the front lines of climate action, as they act as hubs for innovation and collective action. By joining this initiative, Community Jameel Saudi reinforces its commitment to the Saudi Vision 2030 goals of scaling science-led solutions that protect urban lives and livelihoods. Our goal is to ensure that the world’s cities grow, and bridge the gap between global research and local impact.”Hélène Chartier, Director of Urban Planning and Design at C40, said: “Urban planning is climate action, and Jeddah’s participation in the Accelerator reflects a strong commitment to leadership. By joining this network of ambitious cities, Jeddah will both draw on global best practices and share its own valuable insights on adapting planning approaches and policies to address climate challenges. We look forward to working closely with the Municipality to build on the foundations of the Jameel C40 Urban Planning Climate Labs and to help deliver a more sustainable, resilient, and liveable future for all of Jeddah’s residents.”Over the coming decade, Jeddah’s engagement in the accelerator will support key priorities under its strategic and structural plans, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which will guide redevelopment, transit-oriented development and flood risk management. These plans will also support the development of more compact and connected neighbourhoods; protection of areas at high climate risk; preservation of land for nature; and the inclusion of affordable housing. Technical guidance and access to best practices through the accelerator and its resources will ensure that these plans are evidence-informed and climate-responsive.Jeddah joins a number of other cities participating in the accelerator, namely Accra, Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, eThekwini/Durban, Freetown, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Tshwane, Jakarta, Quezon City, Tokyo, Athens, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Guadalajara, Lima, Medellín, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, Chicago, Portland, Vancouver, Amman and Karachi.
