UNECE

The UNECE region houses less than one-fifth of the world’s population. The region, however, is characterised by high levels of urbanisation: more than 73% of its population are urban residents – compared to 50% on global average. Vienna represents Austria in the UNECE Committee on Housing and Land Management. It was established in 1947 and is the only intergovernmental body addressing the housing challenges of the UNECE region as well as being the highest policy-making body of UNECE in housing and land management. The committee includes representatives of governmental institutions – ministries/agencies which deal with housing, economic development, urban planning & development, and land administration & management.

The committee facilitates the dialogue between governments and supports knowledge transfer on innovative practices, as well as giving advice and developing policy guidelines to address common housing, urban development, and land administration & management issues.

Its aims are:

• The alignment of policies for housing, urban development, and land administration and management among government agencies in the UNECE member states
• Addressing major housing, urban development, and land administration and management challenges in the region
• Providing guidance for establishing a more efficient legal and institutional framework for housing, urban development and land administration and management
• Strengthen national and local capacity on affordable and adequate housing, smart and sustainable urban development and effective land administration

UNECE Housing and Land Management