Young leaders and activists from around the globe are in Cairo this week to advocate for solutions to the housing crisis and to champion the creation of sustainable, resilient urban spaces.
These impassioned delegates have convened at the World Urban Forum’s (WUF12) session on “Housing Our Future,” where they are raising their voices for more inclusive urban policies and youth-led innovation in city planning.
Held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, WUF12 is an initiative by UN-Habitat that unites policymakers, architects, and advocates to tackle critical urban challenges worldwide. Central to the forum’s discussions is the question posted on the center’s walls: “What would you like to see in your city?” Young attendees, eager to contribute, have been filling the walls with their visions and ideas, affirming the energy and creativity they bring to these pressing global issues.
Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, underscored the urgency of building safe, adequate housing as global populations rise. “We do not want slums to be the birthplace of a new generation,” Rossbach asserted, adding that the global community must act swiftly to ensure future cities accommodate all citizens.
“We need to make sure that we plan the cities for the future,” she emphasized, calling for inclusive policies that reflect the realities of young people today and their needs tomorrow.
Youth-Led Urban Movements Take Center Stage
One of the most anticipated sessions of WUF12 featured a roundtable with young leaders sharing their ideas on the future of urban spaces. Among them was Lujain Romouzy, a 19-year-old Egyptian student and Vice-chair of the Leaf Coalition.
Romouzy is also a junior negotiator in the UN’s climate dialogues, advocating for policies that address climate-driven “loss and damage” in developing nations. She expressed her commitment to sustainability, stating, “I am here to advocate for sustainable innovations and their importance in urban planning and development.”
Romouzy called for greater recognition of youth-led initiatives that blend environmental sustainability with urban development, emphasizing the potential impact of “nature-based solutions and projects created by youth.”
Her ideas resonate with a growing movement of young people who seek not just to influence urban planning but to drive it forward. Romouzy’s goal is to spotlight projects that lower emissions while fostering sustainable city growth.
This push for youth involvement culminated in a policy declaration drafted by young Egyptian participants, with plans to present it at COP29, the UN climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. “We’re going to take this document to the climate policy assembly … to ensure that [youth] voices are heard and included,” Romouzy shared, illustrating her dedication to creating real policy change.
High Hopes for Urban Development Solutions
Quynh Anh Le, a high school student and youth representative for UN-Habitat Vietnam, also voiced her “high expectations” for WUF12. Le views the forum as an invaluable opportunity to bring back practical solutions to her hometown.
“I hope to find projects that I can bring back and apply to my own city,” she explained, underscoring the significance of the event for young delegates eager to address local needs with global insights.
The forum has also drawn attention from key UN officials. Haoliang Xu, Associate Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), emphasized the importance of young voices in designing the cities of tomorrow. “Young people’s views are critically important,” he said, highlighting the role of education systems and ecosystems that foster innovation and safety for young entrepreneurs.
Xu pointed to the Pact for the Future, a global framework aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as central to achieving urban resilience and adequate housing. “If you look at the action areas in the pact, they resonate with all the elements in the SDGs,” he noted, affirming that achieving inclusive and resilient cities will require a multi-stakeholder approach.
The discussions at WUF12 come as the housing crisis remains a critical concern for billions globally, and the young delegates are pushing for immediate action.
With many cities already facing pressures from overcrowding, climate change, and lack of affordable housing, young people at the forum see themselves as agents of change, determined to reimagine urban spaces that prioritize sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience.
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