The Ministry of Local Government and Housing and UN HABITAT have developed a Cities Alliance Proposal to support urban upgrading programmes initially in Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola and Livingstone, with a view of extending programme activities to other urban centres of the country. The programme is being undertaken in line with the Millennium Development Goal 7 (targets 10 &11), which aim to improve the lives of people in unplanned settlements through improved access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, security of tenure and adequate shelter.

Through the Cities Alliance Programme, the Government aims to bring together its development partners committed to scaling up successful approaches to poverty reduction through improved shelter and living environments for the urban poor. Further, the programme aims to improve coordination and collaboration between various programmes in the urban sector whose challenges have continued to grow in the face of increasing urbanization. By promoting positive impacts of urbanization the Cities Alliance will help local authorities plan and prepare for future urban growth in a more sustainable manner.

As a member, the National Director of HFH Zambia, Ms. Petronella Shiaka, is expected among many things, to spearhead the promotion of the National Habitat Agenda in close collaboration with the UN HABITAT mandate.