More than half of the world’s population now lives in cities, and urbanization is projected to continue at high rates in emerging economies, especially across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The benefits of urban agglomeration, including productivity, proximity to services, and infrastructure efficiency, are well known. Yet unplanned urban growth poses important challenges, including socio-spatial segregation, uneven access to basic services, environmental degradation and disaster risk, job losses, and inefficient allocation of public funds. As a foundational tool that enables cities to navigate these pressures, spatial planning can provide the technical and financial roadmap needed to drive sustainable, resilient, and inclusive growth. Good spatial planning catalyzes dialogue among governments and diverse stakeholders, equipping cities to forge a shared territorial vision and to establish the mechanisms required to deliver on their goals. Drawing on Colombia's experience, this report offers national and subnational governments worldwide key insights to manage and strengthen their spatial planning systems while promoting a comprehensive, participatory approach.
Making Spatial Planning Work: Lessons from Colombia
May 12, 2026
