This report is a comprehensive analysis and assessment of sustainable urban development in the Asia and Pacific region at a time of great disruption and uncertainty resulting from multiple interlinked global crises in a post pandemic era. This report aims to provide valuable insights into the spatial, economic, social, environmental and governance aspects of cities, offering holistic policy recommendations towards a sustainable urban recovery from these crises. Understanding the dynamics and characteristics of its cities is crucial for national and local governments, businesses, local communities, researchers and urban planners. With this report ESCAP and UN-Habitat continue their collaboration to provide an updated, reliable resource for decision-makers seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the trends, challenges, and future opportunities within the Asia-Pacific cities landscape. The report builds on three previous editions in this series, each of which explored the key existing and emerging trends in urban development within the region. This report continues the forward-looking perspective, capturing the transformative messages of the New Urban Agenda (2016) and continuing the thematic tracks established in the 2019 edition of this report. The current edition also set a much-needed agenda for a sustainable urban recovery across the region. The 2023 report is released in a year where progress against SDG 11 on ‘sustainable cities and communities’ is under review globally by the UN General Assembly.