WUF13 will present a new platform for practical solutions in the field of urban planning and housing

The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), which will be held in Baku from May 17 to 22, will present the Practice Hub — a new platform designed to promote practice-oriented and applied discussions in the field of housing provision and urban development.

The platform's primary focus will be on issues of implementation and application of successful approaches. The Practice Hub will bring together proven models, accumulated experience, and opportunities for peer learning.

Within the main theme of WUF13, "Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements," the platform will showcase positive changes achieved through effective housing solutions. Special attention will be given to successful practices from different regions of the world, as well as interaction between decision-makers and professionals directly implementing projects on the ground. This will enable the transformation of accumulated knowledge into real action.

The platform is based on an extensive international process of collecting practical examples in the field of housing provision. As part of the initiative, more than 200 applications were submitted from various countries around the world, from which expert panels selected 171 successful practices. The presented initiatives reflect different approaches to addressing urban and housing issues at various levels of governance, including projects implemented by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and its partners.

In total, the initiatives cover 84 countries and include contributions from national and local governments, civil society, the private sector, foundations, and academia. Visitors will be able to explore the projects through an interactive digital platform and find solutions tailored to specific needs.

Programme and Networking

The Practice Hub will host 11 interactive sessions, each bringing together organizations from different countries working on similar challenges. The sessions will be held in a 90-minute dialogue format and will focus on different approaches to solving the same problems, as well as discussing successful practices and solutions that can be adapted and scaled in other contexts.

Additionally, a dedicated networking space will be organized where practitioners, government representatives, and partners can directly exchange experiences, establish professional contacts, and discuss collaboration opportunities.

The organizers note that all elements of the platform are aimed at creating a unified space for studying successful models and engaging with the people behind their implementation.

The Legacy of WUF13

The Practice Hub is viewed not only as a temporary initiative within WUF13 but also as a long-term contribution to the global knowledge base on housing provision.

All presented practices will be available through a digital platform, which will also host detailed materials and analytical studies to support continuous learning and knowledge exchange.

The platform will be regularly updated and expanded. Its main goal is to disseminate successful practices, support the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, and accelerate the adoption of effective housing solutions at the global level.

The full programme of the Practice Hub can be found on the official WUF13 website.