Global attention will this week shift to Baku, Azerbaijan, as world leaders, urban planners, housing experts, financial institutions and development agencies converge for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), amid growing concerns over the worsening global housing crisis and the future of rapidly expanding cities.

Organised by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, the forum is being held under the theme: “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” reflecting increasing global anxiety over housing shortages, climate vulnerability, informal settlements and urban inequality.

The high-level gathering comes at a critical moment when cities across the world are facing mounting pressure from population growth, migration, rising construction costs, environmental disasters and economic instability.

According to UN estimates released ahead of the summit, billions of people globally lack access to adequate housing, while more than one billion residents live in slums and informal settlements with limited access to water, sanitation, healthcare and transportation infrastructure.

Urban experts said the discussions in Baku are expected to focus on how cities can become more inclusive, climate-resilient and economically sustainable in the face of growing global uncertainties.

For many developing countries, particularly in Africa, the issues being discussed at WUF13 are not theoretical but daily realities. Cities are expanding faster than infrastructure and public services can keep pace, leading to overcrowding, rising rents, worsening traffic congestion and increasing environmental risks.

Nigeria, one of the fastest urbanising nations in the world, is expected to closely monitor the outcomes of the conference as Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt continue to grapple with housing shortages, informal settlements and weak urban planning systems.

Participants at the forum are expected to examine how governments can balance urban renewal with social inclusion, especially in low-income communities vulnerable to forced displacement and climate disasters.

Housing experts argued that resilience must go beyond physical infrastructure to include social protection, economic opportunities and community participation in urban planning decisions.

Another major issue dominating discussions is the financing of affordable housing. Many countries are struggling with high inflation, expensive mortgages and rising building material costs, factors that have pushed decent housing beyond the reach of millions of citizens.

Delegates are expected to explore innovative funding models, public-private partnerships and policy reforms aimed at expanding access to affordable housing while improving urban infrastructure.

Climate adaptation is also expected to feature prominently at the summit. Recent floods, heatwaves and environmental disasters across different regions have exposed the vulnerability of poorly planned cities and settlements.

Experts argued that safer and resilient cities require stronger building regulations, integrated land-use planning, improved drainage systems, renewable energy adoption and investment in sustainable public transportation.

The conference is also expected to showcase global examples of successful slum upgrading, smart-city initiatives and community-driven urban regeneration programmes that can be replicated in emerging economies.

Nigerian town planners believe WUF13 presents an opportunity for governments to move beyond policy declarations toward practical implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals linked to housing and urban development.

They said the forum provides an important platform to advocate for stronger international cooperation, increased climate financing and expanded support for infrastructure development.

Speaking on strategies city managers can adopt to build safer, more resilient and affordable communities without displacing low-income residents, former President of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), Dr Moses Ogunleye, called for policies and planning systems that guarantee the inclusion of low-income residents in urban development processes without displacement.

According to him, African cities require “progressive and forward-looking planning, not a staccato system.” He stressed that urban planning must anticipate future challenges and respond proactively, rather than waiting for crises to emerge before action is taken.

He added that such planning must be backed by effective and sustainable funding mechanisms, noting that city managers cannot afford to wait until infrastructure and housing or environmental problems become unmanageable before responding.

On how governments and private sector stakeholders can mobilise sustainable housing finance and reduce the high cost of building materials to make housing accessible to ordinary citizens, Ogunleye said the role of the private sector as the engine of growth in housing delivery would remain critical.

He explained that the building materials production system must be strengthened to improve efficiency and reduce dependence on imported products, which continues to pose a major challenge for less-developed countries.

“The public sector should rework the housing finance system for more funds to be mobilised through single-digit credit facilities,” he said.

Ogunleye, a former Chairman, Lagos chapter, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), also observed that Nigeria’s mortgage structure remains weak and requires urgent revitalisation to support large-scale housing delivery. He called for greater emphasis on housing provision for low-income earners and people within the no-income category.

On the key lessons from the forum, he stated that cities remain engines of economic growth and, for them to become sustainable, stakeholders must recognise and manage them as such.

He stressed the need for a well-coordinated and efficient urban management system in Nigeria, lamenting what he described as overlapping governance structures in many cities.

“What we have today is a situation where between six and 10 different governments or authorities are controlling or managing a single city,” he said.

According to him, there are instances where one state government and multiple local councils take critical decisions affecting the same urban space, thereby creating planning inconsistencies and inefficiencies.

He therefore called for the delineation of city limits to ensure effective urban and city management, warning that cities cannot be allowed to grow endlessly without proper delimitation and coordinated governance structures.

Also speaking on the challenges confronting rapidly urbanising cities, the former National Secretary of NITP, Mr Gbenga Ashiru, noted that city managers dealing with rapid urbanisation, housing shortages and climate risks must adopt balanced strategies that improve safety and resilience while protecting low-income residents from displacement.

According to him, one of the most practical approaches is inclusive urban planning, where communities, especially low-income residents, are actively involved in decision-making processes. He explained that participatory planning ensures that development projects reflect the real needs of residents and help reduce forced displacement.

Ashiru said this could be achieved through community consultations before redevelopment projects, noting that the use of Community Development Associations (CDAs) and traditional institutions would promote inclusiveness.

He also advocated participatory budgeting for neighbourhood improvements, stressing the need for a bottom-up approach in policy formulation and implementation.

The former NITP scribe further called for the protection of informal settlements through upgrading rather than demolition, describing informal settlements as part of the urbanisation process. As cities grow, the need for renewal is important.

On affordable housing policies, Ashiru said governments must implement measures that guarantee a steady supply of affordable housing while addressing rising housing deficits.

He listed inclusionary zoning, rent stabilisation and public-private partnerships as some of the policies cities should adopt to make housing more accessible.

According to him, inclusionary zoning would require developers to provide affordable housing units within new developments, while rent stabilisation policies would help prevent sudden rent increases that can force residents out of their communities.

Ashiru also stressed the need for climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce vulnerability to disasters associated with climate change. He identified flood control systems, improved drainage networks, urban wetlands, parks, permeable surfaces and climate-resilient housing designs as critical investments cities must prioritise.

On land administration, he advocated secure land tenure for low-income residents, noting that legal land rights and tenure security would encourage residents to invest in improving their homes while protecting them from eviction.
He recommended strategies such as land titling programmes, community land trusts and long-term occupancy rights.

Ashiru further advocated transit-oriented development, explaining that building housing close to public transportation systems would reduce commuting costs and discourage urban sprawl.

He also emphasised the importance of strengthening local governance and data-driven planning systems. According to him, cities should deploy Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping for flood-prone areas and informal settlements, establish early warning systems for disasters and implement integrated urban development plans.

“To build safer, resilient and affordable cities without displacing low-income residents, city managers must combine inclusive planning, affordable housing policies, in-situ upgrading, climate-resilient infrastructure, secure land tenure, transit-oriented development and data-driven governance,” he said.

Also speaking, former National Publicity Secretary of NITP, Dr David Olawale, advocated sustainable settlement planning for the informal sector, stressing the need for inclusive urban development policies that cater to all categories of residents.

According to him, the government and private sector must collaborate to mobilise adequate finance for mortgage provision and infrastructure development to address the country’s growing housing challenges.

Olawale further urged governments at all levels to make housing provision a major national priority, noting that access to decent shelter would promote social inclusion and give citizens a stronger sense of belonging.

He maintained that sustainable housing policies and infrastructure investment remain critical to improving living conditions, especially for low-income earners and operators within the informal sector.