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.
Organizer: Habitat Professionals Forum The Habitat Professionals Forum (HPF) is launching Recovering the Future: A Framework for Transformative Recovery from Disasters at the World Urban Forum (WUF) 2026 in Baku, calling for a major shift in how recovery from disasters is planned and delivered. The Framework moves beyond the traditional "Build Back Better" approach, advocating instead for recovery processes that address the root causes of vulnerability and help communities transition toward safer, more equitable, regenerative, and climate-adaptive futures. Aligned with international commitments including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Framework promotes rights-based and wide landscape-scale recovery focused on reducing long-term risk, strengthening resilience, and protecting the most vulnerable communities. The Framework outlines practical actions including stronger community participation, landscape-led, long-term spatial planning and regeneration, rapid-response professional task forces, and improved accountability in recovery processes. The Habitat Professionals Forum is calling on governments, professionals, communities, and development partners worldwide to adopt the Framework and work collaboratively to deliver transformative recovery from disasters. Speakers: HPF Chair Eleanor Mohammed, (CAP: Commonwealth Association of Planners) - Canada HPF Co-Chair Prof. Lance Jay Brown (CSU: Consortium for Sustainable Urbanisation) - United States of America Dr Frank D'hondt (ISOCARP: International Society of City and Regional Planners) - Greece Prof. Kathryn Moore (IFLA: International Federation of Landscape Architects) - United Kingdom Prof. Samer Bageen (GPN: Global Planners Network & RTPI: Royal Town Planning Institute, Vice-President) - United Kingdom Alissa Bankovska (FIABCI-Ukraine: International Real Estate Federation - Ukraine, President) - Ukraine
