The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. The theme of WUF13 is: Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.
How can cities deliver integrated housing, basic services, and care infrastructure to advance urban health, well-being, and equity? Urban health is increasingly recognized as a defining challenge for cities today. The conditions in which people live — including their home, land, access to basic services, and public space — directly shape physical and mental well-being, resilience, and quality of life. In the context of rapid urbanization, climate risks, and growing inequalities, fragmented approaches are no longer sufficient. Integrated, place-based solutions are required that connect housing, basic services, and social infrastructure with planning, finance, and governance. Several cities have begun operationalizing care as social infrastructure — focusing on proximity, urban access, time poverty, and spatial justice to close gender gaps. Bogotá's Manzanas del Cuidado (Care Blocks) pioneered co-locating services for unpaid caregivers within a short walk, providing health services, respite, education, and job pathways. Cities such as Montevideo, Freetown, Guayaquil, and Barcelona are adapting this model. This session showcases how UN-Habitat translates urban health principles into practical action — supporting cities to deliver adequate housing and basic services as a foundation for well-being, while promoting caring cities and proximity of care. Drawing on data-driven approaches including the urban health scan implemented in Mongolia, Jordan, and Sierra Leone, the session highlights evidence-based planning and investment. Partners: Healthy Cities Network; Local Governments; Academia and research institutions; ISUH; Speakers: Speaker 1: Celia or Sebastian (Healthy Cities) - Urban health scan and results Speaker 2: City representative (from UBS network) - TBC Speaker 3: City representative (from NY network) - TBC Speaker 4: Graham Alabaster Speaker 5: Giselle Sebag (ISUH) or Gary (Bloomberg) - Partnership and scaling
