Public Facilities as enablers of Resilient, Sustainable and Adequate Housing for Urban Communities

This event brings together global experts, policymakers and practitioners to launch and discuss the latest findings on how public facilities strengthen the delivery of adequate housing and support inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development. It marks the launch of the Public Facilities report, a joint publication between UN-Habitat and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, which examines how access to neighbourhood-scale facilities - including schools, health centres, community spaces, markets, and cultural and recreational infrastructure - transform housing from standalone shelter into liveable homes embedded within functioning neighbourhoods and urban systems. As cities face growing housing shortages, affordability pressures, informal expansion and climate risk, housing delivery is increasingly challenged by disconnected planning approaches that prioritise unit numbers over long-term quality, access and resilience. The session will explore how integrating public facilities into housing and neighbourhood planning helps address core dimensions of adequate housing, including location, accessibility, safety, health, and access to opportunity, ensuring that new and upgraded housing supports dignity, inclusion and wellbeing over time. A particular focus will be placed on how public facilities enhance resilience in the face of climate shocks and urban crises. Well-located and adaptable facilities can serve as shelters, aid distribution points, cooling centres and community support hubs during emergencies, protecting residents and supporting rapid recovery, while continuing to deliver essential everyday services in non-crisis contexts. The discussion will highlight how proximity and connectivity between housing and facilities reduce vulnerability, strengthen social networks and enable faster response during disruptions. The event will also examine how investment in public facilities alongside new housing can reduce tensions associated with urban growth, improve community acceptance of new development, and support equitable access to services across cities. Case studies will demonstrate how facility-led approaches can strengthen informal settlement upgrading and support new town development. Featuring international experts and city leaders, the session will provide a platform to translate evidence into action, explore scalable delivery models, and strengthen partnerships that embed public facilities as core infrastructure for housing systems.