Yves was a magical person—he was a bright light. Whether in civil society, academia, or the UN system, he was always thinking of a new way to “walk the talk”. At every urban meeting or city summit, Yves would cut to the heart of the conversation, suggesting a way forward that seemed perfectly obvious, but no one had seen.

Listen To Janice Perlman on the Caos Planejado Podcast

The Mega-Cities Project (MCP) marked a year of groundbreaking research, global advocacy, and grassroots innovation in 2024. From advancing the Life Cycle of Urban Innovations study to influencing discussions at the World Urban Forum and Smart Cities Conference, MCP continues to champion people-centered urban solutions.

Amid the worldwide outpouring of admiration and affection for Jimmy Carter, I I feel a deep sense of exhilaration and personal pride that I was fortunate enough to work for him on the first ever “National Urban Policy.”

At the Earth Summit (Rio92), cities were merely a brief mention alongside women and people with disabilities. Over 30 years later, it’s inspiring to witness how far we’ve come—this year’s World Urban Forum 12 Egypt drew a record-breaking 37,000 people passionate about cities and their future.

It has been my life’s work to follow the changes in informal settlements over time. Beyond the World Urban Forum in Cairo, the highlights of my trip were visits to two communities that reflect both the challenges and improvements in Egypt’s informal settlements.