The Urban Law and Conflict Series (Volume 1 and Volume 2)

This publication series –“Urban Law and Conflict” – aims to support the identification of where (in what laws, policies, rules or regulations and dealing with what subject matters) and how (suggested best practices and reforms) urban law can better protect and promote the HLP rights of urban dwellers in periods of crisis to “ensure that all inhabitants, of present and future generations, without discrimination of any kind, are able to inhabit and produce just, safe, healthy, accessible, affordable, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements” (New Urban Agenda, 2016, p. 11).

Enhancing Urban Law to Protect Housing, Land and Property Across the Conflict Cycle explores the role of legal and regulatory frameworks in safeguarding housing, land, and property (HLP) rights in cities affected by conflict and crisis. The report highlights how destruction, displacement, and weak governance often lead to property disputes, insecure tenure, and barriers to reconstruction. Strengthening urban legal frameworks is therefore essential for equitable recovery and sustainable urban development.

Housing, Land and Property-Sensitive Urban Law examines the role of urban law in protecting housing, land, and property (HLP) rights and preventing conflict in urban areas. As cities continue to expand and face pressures from population growth, displacement, and climate-related risks, urban governance systems often struggle to provide adequate housing, services, and secure land tenure. Weak or exclusionary legal frameworks can contribute to inequality, informal settlements, and land disputes, which may become root causes or triggers of conflict. The report emphasizes that strengthening urban law can help reduce these vulnerabilities before crises occur.