From Measurement to Impact How Quality of Life Shapes Resilient Cities Lessons from Saudi Arabia and Global Urban Pr

This session explores how Quality of Life (QoL) measurement can help cities move from data to real policy impact—especially on housing, services, resilience, and inclusion. Led by the Quality of Life Program Center (Saudi Arabia) in partnership with UN-Habitat, it will share practical lessons from Saudi cities adopting the Global Quality of Life Index/Initiative (QoLI) and connect these experiences to global urban practice. Through evidence-based dialogue and city case studies, the session will show how multidimensional wellbeing insights can guide people-centered, integrated urban planning aligned with WUF13’s theme on safe and resilient cities. Objectives: Position QoL as a complementary lens to traditional urban/housing metrics to strengthen resilience and inclusion. Showcase Saudi city adoption of QoLI and lessons learned for other cities. Demonstrate practical applications—translating QoL data into actionable housing, services, and urban environment decisions. Bridge global agendas with local implementation (SDG 11, New Urban Agenda, WUF priorities) while staying responsive to local realities. Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange by inviting cities and partners to engage with QoLI and peer learning.