Rebuilding beyond bricks and mortar: World Urban Forum focuses on housing, supporting communities in war-torn cities
Penultimate day of the twelfth biennial session of the Forum, or WUF12checked situation in the Gaza Stripwhere the urban fabric and urban life in the enclave is devastated by a year of intense bombardment and war currently affecting the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria.
Participants grappled with all aspects of this challenge, especially the need for action at the local level. Looking for solutions that go beyond the physical damage caused by crisis and conflict, they focus on the loss of homes, places “full of memories and community connections.”
Anacláudia Rossbach, CEO of UN-HabitatThe United Nations agency for sustainable urban development convened the Forum, telling the meeting that “when we talk about construction and reconstruction, we are not just talking about housing; we are talking about social support and working with communities to see a viable future.”
Housing ‘close to home’
Participants echoed that message throughout the discussion and emphasized the important role of joint reconstruction and reconstruction efforts.
Sami Hijjawi, Minister of Local Government, State of Palestine, spoke UN News that “reconstruction can only be achieved through joint efforts, in an organized and structured manner. That way, we can benefit from previous experiences and not repeat any mistakes made in previous periods.”
He went on to note that when solving the problem of housing people and rebuilding infrastructure, it is important that they stay as close to their homeland as possible.
Despite the “difficult circumstances” in Gaza, development and urbanization efforts are continuing, Mr. Hijjawi said, explaining that “we are still working, planning, programming and providing provide services to its people within the available budget”.
‘Comprehensive approach’ in Somalia
Participants shared many ideas and experiences on how to respond to other urban crises, including in Somalia.
Zahra Abdi Mohamed, Director of Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Solutions at the Somali Ministry of Planning, shares and sets an example UN News: “The Semantics Project integrates housing, land and property issues with access to livelihoods and social services. And we are trying to ensure that when IDP is supported, it is comprehensive and integrated.”
She called for a shift from a purely humanitarian approach to a development approach and emphasized the importance of integrated development services for internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and returnees .
To attract people back, the countryside must be developed, Ms. Mohamed added.
‘A devastating crisis’
It is important to prevent home demolition before it happens, said Jenia Gubkina, a Ukrainian architect who spoke at a related dialogue on the issue. Lost home.
She said UN News: “We are in a great crisis, not only of reconstruction and the building of new architectural styles, but above all of destruction.”
Without making it clear that homes must not be destroyed, Ms. Gubkina warned, “we will build, the invaders will come and destroy, making this a challenging and unpleasant situation for the whole world.” ”.
Overcoming urban crisis response
There are 117 million displaced people in the world, and cities are increasingly serving as both shelters for displaced people and epicenters of global crises. Therefore, the response to the urban crisis needs to be reconsidered immediately.
In that context, Sameh Wahba, Regional Director for Sustainable Development of the World Bank in Europe and Central Asia, said. UN News that displacement is “an urban phenomenon” because the majority of people displaced by natural disasters and conflicts seek refuge in cities.
The solution to this problem, he said, is to provide integrated solutions for “refugees, internally displaced persons, forcibly displaced persons and their host communities.
“The second thing is to look at solutions that are people-based…and place-based. When you think about people-based solutions – whether cash transfers or housing vouchers to enable access to housing – it’s about helping people access jobs,” Mr. Whaba added.
Delegates attend the opening ceremony of the World Urban Forum in Cairo.
What’s coming up on the closing day of WUF12
WUF12 has been active in Cairo since Monday, November 8. The biennial forum, considered the world’s most important conference, examines rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, policies and climate change, which ends on Friday.
A key highlight tomorrow will be the launch of the Cairo Call to Action, one of three outcome documents documenting key messages to emerge from WUF12.
In addition, Forum participants will have the opportunity to attend roundtables on civil society and academia, as well as other partner-led events.
The closing ceremony will feature remarks from senior officials, including representatives from UN-Habitat and the Government of Egypt, thought leaders and creative displays.
The event will conclude with the official handover to Baku, Azerbaijan, host of WUF13, marking the next steps in the global journey towards sustainable urbanization.
