This report arrives at a critical juncture in Asia and the Pacific. Home to 54% of the world’s urban population, the region’s cities are set to expand from 2.48 billion people in 2023 to 3.38 billion by 2050. Much of this expansion is occurring in countries still developing their urban systems, heightening the urgency to ensure that housing, infrastructure, and services are future-ready. Governance will be the decisive factor in determining whether cities can meet these demands and thrive. Where governance is weak, inequality deepens and services falter. Where it is forward-looking, determined to advance human development, resilience, and long-term prosperity, cities thrive.

This report shares urban governance insights from Bangkok, Beijing, Ahmedabad, and Iloilo, and builds on UNDP’s vision for Anticipatory, Adaptive, and Agile Governance. Co-developed with Arup, it draws on regional best practices and city-level innovations, highlighting how collaborative governance approaches are helping bridge implementation gaps, strengthen resilience, and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).