The World Urban Forum, an initiative of UN-Habitat, has opened its doors in Baku, Azerbaijan, amidst a critical juncture where the global housing crisis and climate shocks are converging. This forum brings together diverse stakeholders, from world leaders to urban experts, to address a pressing issue: how to house the world's rapidly urbanizing population safely and resiliently.
The theme, "Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities," couldn't be more timely. With nearly 2.8 billion people living in inadequate housing and over 300 million homeless, the crisis is exacerbated by rising living costs and international crises. By 2050, nearly 70% of the global population is expected to reside in cities, intensifying the urgency.
Anacláudia Rossbach, head of UN-Habitat, describes it as a "global housing crisis," affecting both the Global South and, increasingly, the Global North. The crisis extends beyond physical structures, impacting human dignity, urban resilience, and global stability. Its effects ripple across healthcare, education, economies, and social cohesion.
The Complexity of Housing
Francine Pickup, Deputy Director of the UN Development Programme, emphasizes that the housing crisis is more than a construction problem. It's about understanding the urban context and treating housing as a complex issue. This perspective is crucial when considering the rapid growth of informal settlements, where over 1.1 billion people reside today.
Informal settlements, or unplanned areas, present a unique challenge and opportunity. While they provide shelter for millions, they also lack legal land claims and often offer precarious housing. The number of people living in slums is projected to rise by another 2 billion in the coming decades, with children being particularly vulnerable.
Rebuilding and Resilience
Against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts and crises, the forum will also focus on how cities recover after war and disaster. With over 123 million people forcibly displaced in 2022, the majority seeking refuge in urban areas, the issue of rebuilding goes beyond providing shelter. It involves restoring communities, creating jobs, and helping people regain a sense of normalcy and security.
Climate shocks are another critical aspect. Extreme weather events displaced over 20 million people in 2023 alone, and estimates suggest climate change could destroy 167 million homes by 2040. At the same time, the construction sector contributes significantly to global emissions, accounting for 34% of energy-related CO2 emissions.
Collective Action and the New Urban Agenda
A central theme of the forum is the need for collective action, bringing together governments, local authorities, universities, grassroots communities, and the private sector. This collaborative approach is essential to addressing the housing crisis and building more sustainable, resilient cities.
The Baku forum also marks the tenth anniversary of the New Urban Agenda, adopted in 2016. This year, the UN General Assembly will conduct a midterm review of the Agenda, and discussions in Baku will play a crucial role in assessing global progress towards creating more sustainable and affordable cities.
The World Urban Forum, established by the UN General Assembly in 2001, is a leading international conference focused on sustainable urbanization. With over 27,000 participants registered for the Baku forum, it's a testament to the importance and urgency of these discussions.
In my opinion, the forum's focus on housing, informality, finance, sustainability, and resilience is a comprehensive approach to tackling the global housing crisis. It's a complex issue that requires a multifaceted solution, and I believe the discussions in Baku will contribute significantly to shaping a more sustainable urban future.
