WUF13 features session on “Housing Resilience as an Urban Systems Challenge”
Baku, May 17, AZERTAC
A session titled “Housing Resilience as an Urban Systems Challenge” was held as part of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
The session was held under the UN “City Resilience Global Programme,” led by UNDRR, UNEP, UNDP, and UN-Habitat. It focused on integrating risk reduction, climate adaptation, crisis preparedness, and recovery into housing policies through an urban resilience approach.
In his remarks, Rafael Tuts, Director of the Global Solutions Division of UN-Habitat, emphasized that the housing crisis is not only a shortage of homes but a systemic failure, and therefore requires a systemic response. He noted that properly building housing resilience can contribute to achieving multiple global goals.
He stressed that this is a key strategic opportunity that should not be missed, noting that integrating resilience into housing policy, land use, building codes, planning standards, construction practices, and financing systems helps protect not only homes but also people, economies, and the future.
Gulnara Roll, head of the secretariat of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said there are serious challenges in the housing sector, especially in formal housing, noting that 70–80% of housing policy in many countries focuses on this area. She stressed that addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, including integrating housing into policies, practice, and financial mechanisms to support sustainable cities.
Discussions also focused on improving urban planning, construction standards, land management, and financing mechanisms with regard to risk sensitivity. The objective of the event is to strengthen the resilience of urban housing systems, as well as to expand international cooperation and enhance synergy among UN agencies.
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