Spotlight on the Urban Crises: Gaza

The event will put the spotlight on the impact of the war in Gaza and the wider region. After one year of intense bombardment, the urban fabric and urban life of the Gaza Strip have been left in ruins and the war is now impacting the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria. The ongoing war has led to the widespread destruction of infrastructure, particularly housing and essential services. The loss of homes has left thousands of families displaced, deepening the already severe humanitarian crisis. This devastation has created an urgent need for a comprehensive urban recovery strategy that addresses the rebuilding of homes and neighborhoods, and the social and economic recovery of communities.

While many efforts have focused on emergency responses, long-term urban recovery remains under-explored. Urban recovery in Gaza requires an approach that integrates both physical reconstruction and the social and economic rebuilding of communities. It is clear that Gazans will wish to return to their neighborhoods as soon as possible. Given the complexity of the political, social, and environmental landscape, the reconstruction of Gaza cannot be seen solely as a technical issue; it requires a deeper understanding of the social fabric and the resilience of Palestinian communities.

The loss of homes has had profound implications for families, leading to increased vulnerability, the loss of social cohesion, and the disruption of livelihoods. For many Palestinians, homes represent more than just a place to live—they are central to their identity, sense of belonging, and economic stability. It will be critical to move beyond physical reconstruction and focus on community-driven approaches.

Scenarios for Urban Recovery - Rebuilding Cities, Homes, and Communities

The event will draw from the “Preliminary report on the status of the development of the efforts to reconstruct the human settlements in the Gaza Strip” developed by UN-Habitat for its Executive Board (April 2024).

This event focuses on exploring the different scenarios for urban recovery by bringing together partners working across the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus to discuss the principles that will guide the urban recovery process in the Gaza Strip and other affected areas.

The panel discussion aims to bring together different stakeholders and experts to discuss the loss of home in the Gaza Strip and beyond. It will explore possible scenarios for urban recovery in the Gaza Strip, with a focus on neighborhood and housing reconstruction and building urban resilience. The panel will reflect on lessons learned from previous wars.

Guiding questions:

1. Why should we focus on rebuilding homes and neighborhoods?

Emphasize the critical role that housing plays in the recovery process, not only as a basic human need but also as a foundation for economic stability, social cohesion, and identity.

2. What are possible Scenarios for Sustainable Urban Recovery?

Assess various scenarios for the long-term urban recovery of the Gaza Strip, with a focus on increased sustainability and resilience, moving beyond short-term solutions

3. How do we ensure that this is driven by local communities?

Discuss the importance of community involvement in the recovery process, highlighting how local knowledge and capacities can contribute to the rebuilding of homes and neighborhoods.

Expected Outcomes

• This spotlight event aims to look ahead beyond the current status of the crisis towards scenarios for urban recovery.
• The event will draw lessons learned from previous wars.
• It will draw out key principles for urban recovery that should be at the basis of any planning efforts.

Format

Opening statements

• Ambassador Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs Egypt [TBC]
• Dr Sami Hijjawi (M, Palestine), Minister of Local Government, State of Palestine

Panel

• Moderator Michael Mlynar (M, Slovakia), United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director, UN-Habitat
• Dr Sami Hijjawi (M, Palestine), Minister of Local Government, State of Palestine · Chitose Noguchi (F, Japan), Deputy Special Representative, Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Dr. Abdullah Matouk Al-Maatouk (M, Kuwait), Chairman, International Islamic Charity Organization
• Gavin Roy, (M, Italy), Director, Strategic Positioning & Change in the Commissioner-General's Office, United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East – UNRWA
• Mona Fawaz (F, Lebanon), Professor in Urban Studies and Planning, Department of Architecture and Design, American University of Beirut
• Catherine Tovey (F, [xx]), Practice Manager for the Middle East and North Africa Region, World Bank