World Urban Forum Draws 57,000 to Tackle Housing Crisis

The largest gathering of urban planners in history just wrapped up with a message of hope: we still have time to fix the housing crisis affecting billions worldwide.

The World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan brought together 57,000 participants from 176 countries this week, making it the most attended event of its kind. The forum focused on solving housing challenges before 70% of humanity lives in cities by 2050.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told attendees the world has a narrow window to act. "We have a chance to lay the foundations by 2030," she said, adding that cities can become "more resilient and more inclusive" if nations align their efforts now.

The forum's closing statement, called the Baku Call to Action, outlined how cities can provide affordable, safe housing while preparing for climate change. UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach emphasized that housing "shapes inequality, opportunity, resilience, and stability" in every society.

Young people received special attention at the forum, with leaders acknowledging that educated workers increasingly cannot afford rent in the cities where they find jobs. Mohammed called this a critical policy failure that governments must address urgently.

Azerbaijan showcased its own reconstruction work, rebuilding nine cities and 300 settlements from scratch in areas recovering from conflict. Officials said they're applying modern urban planning to create dignified conditions for displaced people returning home.

The Ripple Effect

The forum's massive turnout signals a turning point in how the world approaches urban development. National Coordinator Anar Guliyev said the event "reaffirmed that access to adequate, affordable, safe and resilient housing remains one of the defining challenges of our time."

The gathering produced concrete plans for integrating land policy, finance, infrastructure and governance to build climate-ready cities. Mohammed stressed that housing isn't just about buildings but about "community and a life of dignity."

With conflicts and climate displacement expected to increase, the forum emphasized designing better financial systems so everyone can access stable housing. The focus on young people's economic anxiety and mental health brought fresh urgency to conversations typically dominated by technical planning.

The unprecedented international cooperation at WUF13 demonstrates that nations recognize housing as a shared challenge requiring shared solutions. By 2030, the groundwork laid in Baku could help cities leapfrog current problems and create truly inclusive urban spaces.