Housing and Community Development

Learning with the World: Insights from the UN Habitat World Urban Forum (WUF) in Cairo

Discussion of promising international examples of affordable housing designs, alliances, and strategies from the United Nations Habitat World Urban Forum 12 (WUF 12) in Cairo, Egypt. UN Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. WUF 12 asked, "What needs to change to solve housing inadequacy for billions across our cities and communities?" Speakers for this webinar are AIA and APA (American Planning Association) members who participated in this robust conversation where they shared lessons from the US and learned from international practitioners. Presenters and participants will discuss lessons from WUF 12 in the context of the international right to housing, and challenges for the 1.6 to 3 billion people worldwide who lack adequate housing. This program will explore the international housing crisis and its implications for public welfare. This program is part of the AIA Housing and Community Development Knowledge Community’s Right to Housing webinar series. In each episode, we ask: “What does the right to housing mean in practice?” and “How can architects contribute?”.

Learning Objective 1: Describe examples of the spatial aspects of the right to housing in specific global settings and the impact on occupant well-being.

Learning Objective 2: Draw lessons from extant housing initiatives that are increasing and preserving the availability of well-designed affordable and safe housing.

Learning Objective 3: Understand some of the impediments to the provision of adequate housing.

Learning Objective 4: Apply knowledge of the right to housing to increase multi-sector contributions to public health, safety, and welfare.

Moderators: Katherine Williams, AIA and Femi Olamijulo

Speakers: Angela Brooks, FAICP and Karen Kubey, Assoc. AIA