WUF13 Urban Expo sets participation record with global showcase of housing solutions
Spanning 3.5 hectares, the Expo will bring together more than 217 organizations from 66 countries, creating a dynamic space where governments, civil society, academia, international organizations and the private sector can exchange ideas, present initiatives and build partnerships around the WUF13 theme, “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.”
More than an exhibition space, the Urban Expo is designed as an immersive experience connecting participants with real-world responses to the global housing crisis. From large national pavilions to community-led initiatives and startup innovations, the Expo will showcase approaches addressing housing, climate resilience, digital innovation, accessibility and inclusive urban development.
A record level of participation from civil society organizations will mark this year’s Expo, supported through dedicated clusters and shared pavilions focused on social inclusion, accessibility and human rights. The programme will also feature a growing private sector presence, including 45 companies and 14 startups participating in the new Business & Innovation Hub.
At the centre of the Expo experience is the WUF13 Boulevard, a 2.5-hectare open-air public space designed for networking, informal exchange and public interaction. From there, participants can explore exhibition spaces ranging from the Urban Library and Urban Cinema to the WUF Academy Campus.
The UN-Habitat Pavilion: exploring the meaning of “Housing the world”
A central highlight of the Urban Expo is the UN-Habitat Pavilion, conceived as a curated space exploring the meaning of “Housing the world” through installations, exhibitions, dialogue and interactive experiences. Inspired by the WUF13 theme, the Pavilion approaches housing both as the need for shelter and as a shared responsibility for the world people inhabit together.
Rather than representing housing through literal buildings or urban models, the Pavilion draws inspiration from structures found across nature and human history – from the spiral of a shell to the form of galaxies and historic architectural patterns. The spiral becomes the Pavilion’s organizing concept, symbolizing growth, interconnectedness and the relationship between individual housing needs and planetary responsibility.
This non-linear approach also reflects Baku’s contemporary architecture, including iconic structures such as the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Flame Towers, which inspired elements of the Pavilion’s spatial concept.
At the heart of the Pavilion is the UN-Habitat Arena, a dedicated stage hosting 17 sessions between 19 and 22 May. Designed as a space for dialogue and exchange, the Arena will showcase flagship initiatives, partnerships and projects advancing housing and sustainable urban development around the world. It will also provide opportunities for participants to engage directly with UN-Habitat experts and explore collaborative approaches to addressing urban challenges.
Surrounding the Arena, visitors will be able to explore interactive installations, curated exhibitions and spaces for networking and reflection, including the Practices Hub – a timeline of key milestones shaping UN-Habitat’s work and spaces dedicated to urban ideas, innovation and exchange.
A platform for global urban exchange
From grassroots organizations to national governments, researchers and startups, the WUF13 Urban Expo brings together a diverse range of actors shaping the future of cities. As the largest Urban Expo ever held at the World Urban Forum, it aims to foster collaboration, inspire partnerships and connect global discussions on housing and sustainable urban development with practical action, innovation and shared learning.