BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. The decolonization of
urbanization must be based on youth participation, the preservation
of cultural heritage, and the creation of an inclusive urban
environment, Merna Alzurikat, a consultant for the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) from Jordan, said, Trend reports.


She made the remark during the international conference "The
Role of Youth in Decolonizing Urbanization," held as part of the
13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.


“When we talk about the decolonization of urbanization, we are
not just talking about changing the architecture of buildings or
creating new urban policies. We are talking about who our cities
are actually being built for and whose voices are heard in the
planning process,” she said.


According to Alzurikat, cities in Yemen, like those in many
countries of the Global South, reflect deep social and
infrastructural inequalities caused by both historical factors and
contemporary crises.


She cited cities such as Sana’a, Aden, and Taiz as examples.


Speaking about Sana’a, the Jordanian representative emphasized
the importance of preserving the city’s historical heritage, known
for its traditional architecture and tower houses made of clay and
fired brick.


“These buildings represent our identity, our heritage, and a
sustainable way of life that has been preserved for centuries,” she
noted. At the same time, Alzurikat pointed out that population
growth and a lack of resources for preserving historic buildings
are putting the city’s cultural heritage at risk.


Speaking about Aden, she noted that the city is facing rapid and
uncoordinated expansion, as well as severe infrastructure damage.
According to her, young residents of Aden face daily challenges
accessing housing, public services, and safe public spaces.


Alzurikat paid special attention to Taiz, which she called a
symbol of resilience despite the consequences of conflict and
siege. “Young people are full of ideas, but opportunities to
participate in recovery and planning processes remain limited,” she
emphasized.







The Jordanian representative also stated that young people are
already actively participating in community initiatives, volunteer
projects, and the preservation of cultural heritage. According to
her, education plays a key role in urban transformation.


“Quality education helps young people understand urban
challenges, advocate for inclusive recovery, and transform from
passive victims of circumstance into active citizens capable of
reimagining their cities,” said Alzurikat. She added that young
people must become full participants in the processes of rebuilding
and developing the cities of the future.


Today, the fourth day of the WUF13 conference is taking place in
Baku.


The first day included a ministerial meeting dedicated to the
New Urban Agenda, a ministerial roundtable, assemblies for women
and civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban
prosperity. An official ceremony marking the raising of the UN and
Azerbaijani flags also took place.


The second day stood out for the inaugural Leaders' Summit,
featuring high-level discussions on the global housing crisis,
urbanization policy, and urban resilience. Concurrently, the
opening of the Mexico City pavilion took place, serving as a
significant platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin
American region and preparing for WUF14.


The third day of WUF13 featured a comprehensive program of
events covering the global housing crisis, the formation of safe
and inclusive cities, climate resilience, artificial intelligence
and urban governance, green urbanization, social equity, and
sustainable transport.


WUF13, which has attracted more than 40,000 registered
participants from 182 countries, will continue until May 22. Held
under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and
communities,” the forum brings together governments, international
organizations, experts, and representatives of civil society to
strengthen global cooperation in the field of sustainable urban
development.