Egypt Urban Week 2026 advances housing dialogue on the road to WUF13
Convened by UN-Habitat in partnership with national stakeholders, the week marked an important milestone on the road to the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
Aligned with the WUF13 theme, “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” the week contributed to advancing global commitments through national dialogue across government, the private sector, development partners, academia, civil society and community representatives.
The week combined in-person and online sessions structured around four key themes: partnerships and collective action, housing finance and affordability, heritage and regeneration, and inclusive housing solutions.
Across discussions, housing was addressed as a cross-cutting issue linked to climate resilience, social inclusion and local economic development — reinforcing housing as a critical entry point for tackling broader urban challenges.
The programme opened in Cairo with a full-day event that convened more than 300 participants, featuring interactive stakeholder mapping and networking sessions to catalyze partnerships. High-level remarks and cross-sector panel discussions addressed Egypt’s housing challenges while highlighting practical, inclusive and scalable solutions.
The programme also explored innovative approaches to urban development, including climate-responsive construction, technology-enabled planning and community-centred design. The “Visions of Home” exhibition further captured diverse perspectives on housing through design and photography, which together brought 196 competition entries with 11 jury members.
The dialogue continued through three online webinars, engaging more than 190 participants across Egypt and the wider region. These sessions explored alternative housing models and financing approaches, housing in heritage contexts, and inclusive solutions for vulnerable groups — highlighting the need to embed affordability, inclusion and sustainability across the housing continuum.
From local action to global dialogue
Beyond formal sessions, the week also linked housing to livability and well-being. A community run in New Cairo brought together more than 600 participants under the theme “Active Cities, Better Homes,” highlighting how public space, mobility and social connection contribute to more inclusive and livable urban environments.
On the final day, a field visit to the al-Ataba marketplace in downtown Cairo showcased a participatory urban regeneration project implemented in collaboration with UN-Habitat. The initiative, which has already benefited hundreds of vendors, demonstrates how inclusive planning and investment can improve livelihoods, accessibility and urban environments while preserving cultural heritage.
Building on the legacy of WUF12, Egypt Urban Week 2026 strengthened national dialogue and partnerships while connecting local experiences to global processes. Its outcomes will contribute to discussions at WUF13 in Baku, ensuring that global commitments on housing are informed by practical solutions and on-the-ground realities.
