View of the city of Cuenca in Ecuador

    Core area “Climate and energy, just transition” Making urban development and mobility sustainable

    The percentage of the population living in urban areas has continuously grown over the past few decades. Around two thirds of Ecuador’s people now live in towns and cities. The consequences of uncontrolled urbanisation are social inequality, environmental degradation, high resource consumption and high levels of greenhouse gas emissions, along with increasing vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Germany is supporting Ecuador’s efforts to implement strategies for sustainable urban development and urban mobility, and draw on international climate finance.

    Home in Algiers, Algeria.

    Sustainable urban development

    Cities are important players when it comes to combating climate change and adapting to its consequences. However, medium-sized cities in Ecuador are financially and structurally weak, making them ill-prepared to respond adequately to the tasks ahead. Their rapid growth is currently exacerbating social inequalities and is causing high resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

    Activities within the context of German development cooperation are supporting the efforts of selected medium-sized cities in Ecuador to implement the country’s Sustainable Habitat Agenda, for example by advising local authorities on climate-friendly and socially compatible town planning.


    As at: 18/08/2025