The World Urban Forum, an event of global significance, has opened its doors in Baku, Azerbaijan, amidst a backdrop of escalating housing challenges and the ever-looming threat of climate shocks. This gathering, organized by UN-Habitat and Azerbaijan, brings together an impressive array of world leaders, urban experts, and representatives from diverse sectors, all with a shared goal: to address the critical issue of housing for a rapidly urbanizing world.
The theme, "Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities," couldn't be more timely. With nearly 2.8 billion people facing inadequate housing and over 300 million without a home, the crisis is undeniable. And as we approach a future where 70% of the global population will call cities their home by 2050, the urgency to find solutions becomes even more pressing.
The Global Housing Crisis
Anacláudia Rossbach, head of UN-Habitat, describes the situation as a "global housing crisis," a crisis that has long plagued the Global South but is now increasingly felt in the Global North as well. The rising cost of living, exacerbated by international crises like the war in the Middle East, has pushed this issue to the forefront.
What makes this crisis particularly fascinating, and concerning, is its far-reaching implications. Housing is not just about bricks and mortar; it's about human dignity, urban resilience, and global stability. Poor housing conditions strain healthcare and education systems, weaken economies, and erode the social fabric. It's a crisis that affects every aspect of life, and one that we simply cannot afford to ignore.
Informal Settlements: A Complex Reality
One of the key focuses of the forum is the rapid growth of informal settlements, areas where residents lack legal land claims and live in precarious conditions. Today, over 1.1 billion people call slums home, and this number is projected to rise significantly in the coming decades. Children, as always, bear the brunt of this crisis, with estimates suggesting that between 350 and 500 million children live in slum conditions.
However, it's important to recognize that informal settlements are not just a problem. In many cases, they are the only option for millions seeking shelter in cities. This reality highlights the complexity of the housing issue and the need for holistic solutions that consider the urban setting and the multifaceted nature of the problem.
Rebuilding and Resilience
Against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts and crises, the forum will also delve into the issue of urban recovery. With over 123 million people forcibly displaced worldwide by the end of 2022, and over 60% seeking refuge in urban areas, the need for resilient and sustainable rebuilding is critical.
Losing a home means more than just losing a physical structure; it disrupts communities, livelihoods, and a sense of security. The focus in Baku will be on rebuilding lives, from restoring neighborhoods and creating jobs to helping communities find a path back to normalcy. As Ms. Rossbach stated, "There is an urgent need not only to provide housing but also to rebuild communities in ways that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable."
Climate Change: A Key Driver
Climate issues will also take center stage at the forum. Experts warn that the climate crisis is a major driver of the global housing crisis. Extreme weather events, from floods and storms to wildfires, displaced over 20 million people in 2023 alone. Estimates suggest that climate change could destroy 167 million homes worldwide by 2040.
But it's not just about the destruction. Buildings and the construction sector are significant contributors to emissions, accounting for 34% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. The forum aims to address the interconnected challenges of building more housing while also mitigating the climate crisis. As Ms. Rossbach puts it, "What we build, how we build, and where we build have consequences for natural resources, climate resilience, and communities' ability to withstand shocks and disasters."
A Collective Effort for a Sustainable Future
A central theme of the forum is the need for collective action. It's a call to bring together governments, local authorities, universities, grassroots communities, and the private sector. As Ms. Rossbach emphasizes, "We cannot solve the global housing crisis alone. We need a strong and diverse coalition."
The Baku forum also marks an important political milestone, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the New Urban Agenda adopted in 2016. Discussions here will help shape the midterm review of the Agenda by the UN General Assembly in New York City this July, assessing the world's progress in creating more sustainable, safe, and affordable cities.
The World Urban Forum is a testament to the global community's commitment to addressing these critical issues. With over 27,000 participants registered, the forum offers a unique platform for collaboration and innovation, a step towards a future where housing is a right, not a privilege, and where cities are safe, resilient, and sustainable for all.
