Editor’s Note:

May 15 is observed annually as the International Day of Families.

Since its establishment by the United Nations in 1993, family structures around the world have undergone significant transformations due to global trends and demographic shifts. Yet, the UN continues to regard the family as the fundamental unit of society. From health interventions and digital services to parenting support and community integration, cities worldwide are implementing diverse strategies to build family-friendly environments—recognizing families as both the core of urban life and a vital source of future resilience and vitality.

This year’s theme, “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development,” urges governments to integrate family-focused agendas into national planning, addressing challenges like tech shifts, urbanization, migration, and climate change to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Highlighting Guangzhou Award cases, this edition of In Focus explores how cities prioritize family needs through scientific planning, tech innovation, and systemic reforms—offering actionable models for inclusive and sustainable urban growth.

Rotterdam, Netherlands: Growing up Healthy in Rotterdam Beverwaard 

(2023 Guangzhou Award Deserving Initiative)

Rotterdam, a city marked by diverse demographics, faces growing socioeconomic disparities and a clear correlation between residents' health outcomes and their neighborhoods. To address these challenges, the municipal government launched a long-term action-research initiative titled "Improving Lifestyles of Children and Families," aiming to unravel complex contextual factors and design interventions focused on enhancing health experiences within communities.

Unlike traditional approaches targeting single health metrics, this project adopts a multidimensional strategy centered on children and families. Over three years, nearly 60 children and their households were closely monitored through mixed-method data collection. Family coaches were deployed to bridge communication between households, healthcare providers, and schools. Educational institutions introduced tailored programs to teach health literacy and nurture children’s talents.

Notable outcomes include increased enrollment rates in higher-tier education, the integration of arts-based resilience training into Regenboog School’s standard curriculum, and improved cross-sector resource coordination through the family coach model. The project’s findings have informed municipal policies and provided actionable insights for other cities addressing similar challenges. By prioritizing systemic collaboration and holistic well-being, Rotterdam’s initiative exemplifies a scalable framework for tackling health inequities rooted in social contexts. 

Learn more: https://www.guangzhouaward.org/a/3411.html

Repentigny, Canada: A City For All - Citizens And Families

(2018 Guangzhou Award Shortlisted Initiative)

For years, Repentigny’s municipal government has prioritized enhancing service quality and diversity. In 2015, the city launched the "My Municipal Services" initiative, featuring an interactive mapping web application designed to streamline access to government resources, improve residents’ quality of life, and foster community integration and engagement.

A key component of "My Municipal Services" is the "Family Map" app, a digital platform offering comprehensive information on recreational activities, parks, community organizations, childcare facilities, schools, and local events. 

The project embodies Repentigny’s vision of building an inclusive, people-centered city through innovative governance. As Canada’s first municipal app of its kind, it has transformed how local governments engage residents—shifting from passive information delivery to interactive collaboration. Its adaptable framework has been successfully tailored by cities like Longueuil and Sherbrooke to address local priorities, showcasing how technology can drive civic participation while addressing diverse community needs. 

Learn more: https://www.guangzhouaward.org/a/876.html

Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel: A Family Oriented City Program (FOCP)

(2018 Guangzhou Award Participating Initiative)

Rosh Ha'ayin, one of Israel's fastest-growing municipalities, faces integration challenges due to an influx of young families. In 2014, the municipal government launched the Family-Oriented City Program (FOCP) to enhance adaptability through systematic support, aiming to build inclusive and resilient communities.

The program's core innovation lies in its partnership with the Adler Center, utilizing family dynamics curricula and establishing an innovative multi-stakeholder collaborative network. After citywide needs assessments, the initiative established a "City Parents School," organized parental learning groups, and provided advanced training for school administrators, social workers, and community leaders. Key components include family relationship management, immigrant adaptation support, and cross-group collaboration capacity building. Initial outcomes demonstrate improved parent-school communication, increased parental engagement, and enhanced community psychological resilience.

As Israel's first systemic response to large-scale immigrant integration, FOCP offers a replicable model: transforming infrastructure expansion into human-centric sustainable development through family empowerment and cross-sector collaboration. 

Learn more: http://www.urban-innovations.org/index/detail/id/900.html

Ashdod, Israel: The Meaningful Parenting Center

(2016 Guangzhou Award Participating Initiative)

Launched in 2014 in Ashdod, Israel, the Meaningful Parenting Center initiative aims to enhance social well-being through family empowerment. Its core objectives focus on strengthening parental competencies and family communication to reduce youth violence and substance abuse, ultimately fostering sustainable community development.

The program operates through three pillars: 1) Resident services offering personalized parenting guidance, workshops, and school-based programs spanning from kindergarten to adolescence, with multilingual support for immigrant families; 2) “Parent counsellors” academy training professionals in individual consultation and group counseling; 3) Public activity promoting family-friendly legislation and cross-city/international knowledge exchange. Services extend across schools, community centers, workplaces, and innovative home-visit sessions for enhanced accessibility.

Recognized as a model program, it has attracted global policymakers and experts, contributing to the UN SDGs through localized practices in health promotion (SDG3), quality education (SDG4), and sustainable communities (SDG11). 

Learn more: http://www.urban-innovations.org/index/detail/id/475.html