BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14. The thirteenth
session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), to be held from 17 to 22
May in Baku, Azerbaijan, will introduce a new space designed to
promote practical, solution-oriented exchanges on housing and urban
development: the Practices Hub, Trend reports via WUF13 Azerbaijan Operating
Company.
Focused on implementation, the Hub will bring together proven
approaches, lessons learned and opportunities for peer-to-peer
learning.
Under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities
and communities,” the Practices Hub will showcase how real housing
solutions are already making a difference on the ground. It will
highlight practices that have demonstrated impact across regions,
connecting decision-makers and practitioners directly with
implementation experience and helping turn knowledge into
action.
The Hub builds on an extensive global process, including an open
call for housing practices that received more than 200 submissions
worldwide. From these, 171 practices were selected by expert teams,
representing diverse solutions across different contexts and levels
of governance, including initiatives led by UN-Habitat and its
partners. Together, these practices represent 84 countries and
include contributions from national and subnational governments,
civil society, the private sector, foundations, and academia, among
others. Participants will be able to explore these initiatives
through an interactive digital display and search for solutions
based on specific needs.
Programme and networking
The Practices Hub will feature a programme of 11 interactive
sessions, each bringing together organizations from different
countries working on similar challenges. Structured as 90-minute
dialogues, these sessions will highlight diverse approaches to the
same issue, encouraging exchange on what works and what can be
adapted or scaled across contexts.
Complementing the sessions, a dedicated networking space will
create opportunities for practitioners, policymakers and partners
to connect directly, exchange experiences, and identify pathways to
collaboration. Together, these elements create a space where
participants can discover proven approaches, engage with the people
behind them, and learn from real implementation experience.
A legacy beyond WUF13
Beyond its programme at WUF13, the Practices Hub is designed as
a long-term contribution to global knowledge on housing. All
practices will remain accessible through a digital platform, with
detailed information and case studies available to support
continued learning and exchange.
The platform will be regularly updated, expanding its database
over time. By capturing lessons learned and promoting replication,
the hub aims to support ongoing implementation of the New Urban
Agenda and accelerate the uptake of effective housing solutions
worldwide.
Explore the
full programme of the Practices Hub.
