The 2nd Edition of the SymbioCity Approach, and its relevance for Global Gateway
For nearly two decades, the SymbioCity Approach has supported cities and regions around the world in developing integrated, inclusive and sustainable urban solutions, grounded in Swedish municipal experience and strong local governance perspectives. Now The 2nd Edition of the SymbioCity Approach – A Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Urban Development is here.
SymbioCity in Myanmar.
The SymbioCity Approach is a Swedish Government initiative promoting sustainable urbanisation worldwide, informed by Swedish knowledge, innovation and practical experience from local governance and public service delivery. Since 2012, SALAR International has served as the secretariat for the SymbioCity Approach and supported its implementation globally.
Building on nearly two decades of experience
Over the years, the approach has been applied in diverse contexts through urban sustainability reviews, planning initiatives, transformative projects and capacity development programmes. SymbioCity has supported local, regional and national actors in addressing complex urban challenges through integrated and participatory processes that bring together environmental, social, economic, spatial and institutional dimensions of development.
The newly updated 2nd edition reflects both current discussions on sustainable urban development and SALAR International’s practical experience from implementing SymbioCity projects in more than 20 countries worldwide. While maintaining its core principles of holistic and evidence-based planning, the framework has been updated to better respond to today’s interconnected challenges, including climate resilience, urban governance, financing, service delivery and inclusive local development.
The relevance of SymbioCity for Global Gateway
At a time when the EU’s Global Gateway strategy is promoting investments in infrastructure, energy, transport, digitalisation and sustainable development, integrated and locally anchored approaches are increasingly important for ensuring long-term sustainability and impact.
The SymbioCity Approach offers a practical methodology for connecting investments with local governance, public service delivery, citizen participation and local economic development, helping to strengthen local ownership and implementation capacity. Through multi-stakeholder cooperation and integrated planning processes, the approach can help bridge the gap between large-scale investments and local realities where projects are implemented and maintained.
SALAR International consider that stronger involvement of local and regional authorities is essential for translating investments into sustainable and resilient development outcomes. Cities and regions are where infrastructure investments ultimately meet citizens’ everyday needs, and local governments therefore play a key role in ensuring that investments are coordinated, inclusive and aligned with broader development priorities.
From investments to local impact
Methodologies such as the SymbioCity Approach can support a more integrated “360-degree approach” to investment planning and implementation under Global Gateway. By connecting local authorities, national institutions, financing actors and private sector stakeholders, integrated planning approaches can contribute to more coherent, locally relevant and investment-ready development processes. In this context, initiatives such as Team Sweden Smart Cities also illustrate how coordinated national ecosystems can support partner countries through structured cooperation around technical expertise, innovation, financing and sustainable urban solutions linked to local governance and public service delivery.
The relaunch of the 2nd edition marks an important step in continuing to develop and share practical methodologies for sustainable urban development globally. The SymbioCity framework continues to support cities and regions worldwide through holistic planning, collaboration and local ownership.
Join the discussion at WUF13
On 9 May 2026, SALAR International will host the event “Towards a 360° Global Gateway: Building Housing, Infrastructure and Local Economies Through Integrated Local Action” at the World Urban Forum 13 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The event will explore how methodologies such as the SymbioCity Approach can provide practical ways to coordinate local, national and international actors in delivering inclusive and resilient investments under the Global Gateway strategy.
Join us in the discussion if you are attending WUF13 in Baku.