Anar Guliyev: Housing is not only a social issue, it is an economic issue

"The main theme of WUF13 - 'Housing the World: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Communities' - places the housing issue at the center of global urban discussions. Housing is not only a social issue, it is an economic issue, a climate issue, a development issue and, most importantly, a matter of human dignity."

As reported by BAKU.WS, this was stated by the Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture Anar Guliyev, speaking at the ministerial meeting on the New Urban Agenda within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).

According to him, housing shapes people's access to opportunities, education, healthcare and livelihoods:

"Housing shows whether urban development is planned or fragmented, sustainable or vulnerable. That is why the housing dimension of the New Urban Agenda must remain at the center of our policy-oriented decisions."

"In different parts of the world, we are witnessing growing urbanization, housing affordability challenges, informal settlements, forced migration due to climate change and a growing need for sustainable infrastructure. These are not separate problems, but interconnected realities that require integrated solutions.

Therefore, the housing issue should be approached not simply as construction, but as a comprehensive urban policy linked to land use, mobility, infrastructure, green spaces, economic productivity and social cohesion," Anar Guliyev summarized.