ABSTRACT
International instruments are an important governance tool. In their traditional version they take the form of legally binding treaties or conventions, known as ‘hard’ law. The New Urban Agenda (NUA) is a textbook example of a ‘soft’ instrument. Adopted at the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development in Quito, Ecuador, on 20 October 2016 and endorsed by the UN The collective vision and political commitments included in the NUA work in the direction of making urbanization ‘a powerful tool for sustainable development for both developing and developed countries’ and reversing unsustainable practices. The NUA includes a multiplicity of commitments, common goals and expectations. Its 175 transformative commitments for sustainable urban development refer to social inclusion, poverty, inclusive prosperity, environmental sustainability and resilient development in cities and of cities. The features of good legislation have been a concern for a while. The importance of good legislation for sustaining the rule of law and sustainable development have been solidly established.
