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 we transform informal settlements into inclusive, livable communities? This Dialogue examines how cities, communities and institutions can leverage and address informal settlements and slums to expand access to adequate and affordable housing, while advancing inclusive and resilient urban development. The session will explore key drivers shaping informal settlements includingand highlight practical, people-centered solutions for their transformation. Through a high-level panel and interactive debate, panelists will share global and regional experiences on in-situ upgrading, tenure security, community-driven improvement, land governance innovations, and financing mechanisms adapted to informal contexts. Discussion will emphasize approaches that prevent displacement, address climate risks, and harness the positive attributes of informality — flexibility, affordability, and community organization. By reframing informal settlements as an agile and resilient mode of housing production, the session will generate actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners and development partners for the transformation of informal settlements and slums, contributing global efforts to achieve adequate housing for all. Guiding questions 1. What integrated approaches can transform informal settlements into inclusive, safe and resilient neighborhoods, leaving no one behind? 2. How can cities prevent new slums through proactive planning, affordable housing expansion, and strengthened tenure security? 3. What governance and land management frameworks enable meaningful participation and equitable access to urban opportunities? 4. Which financing mechanisms can deliver climate-responsive infrastructure to support sustainable informal settlement transformation? Expected outcomes The session will highlight successful pathways for transforming informal settlements by harnessing their potential to advance access to adequate housing for all. It will explore enabling conditions for effective, at-scale upgrading interventions which, together with complementary housing alternatives, form a system-wide approach aligned with urbanization trends, residents' rights, and the strengths of informality. Objectives 1. Reframe informal settlements and slums as spaces of opportunity and resilient modes of urbanization, while acknowledging the severe deprivations faced by over 1.1 billion residents. 2. Showcase people centered, participatory and climate-responsive approaches to in-situ upgrading, tenure security and community-led housing improvement. 3. Identify governance, financing and data frameworks needed to scale informal settlement transformation. 4. Generate actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners and communities to advance adequate housing for all.
