Urban Competency Framework

The Urban Competency Framework (UCF) outlines the key competencies and accompanying behaviours that all those working in humanitarian response need in order to work effectively in urban settings.  

As populations in cities continue to grow, global crises are increasingly urban in nature: humanitarian action must enhance its efficiency in these settings. 

Individuals, institutions, or organisations can use the UCF to assess suitability for working in urban crises, improve competencies, and ensure those involved in urban humanitarian action are effective. Learning providers can use it to develop courses and curricula based on the skills needed in urban humanitarian action. It can also be a tool for improving collaboration and encouraging an intersectoral approach between local authorities, humanitarians, built environment professionals, engineers, civil society and other key stakeholders. 

To learn more about how to use the UCF, and for a toolkit of resources to support using the framework, download a copy of our User Guide. 

The UCF was drafted through a consultative process, with input from urban specialists from around the globe. If you would like to read more about the initial research behind the first drafts of the UCF download a copy of the Research Report. 

Click here to read a case study on local urban response in the Philippines and learn how this relates to the UCF.