Welcome to the United Nations
The Panel discussion: Affordable housing and inclusive urban development for All, organized by UNDESA with collaboration and support from UN HABITAT, was held on 10 February 2020, at the UNHQ New York, during the 58th session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD58). The event, brought together a group of global leading experts, policy makers from member states and the United Nations entities responsible for social development and urban /housing development. The event identified key challenges, opportunities and explored promising strategies and practical solutions to promote affordable housing and inclusive urban development for all, including in particular for those in vulnerable situations such as older persons, persons with disabilities, youth, indigenous peoples and the homeless.
The meeting was chaired and moderated by Ms. Daniela Bas, Director of DISD/DESA. Key note speech was made by Ms. Francesca Deferrari, Officer-in-Charge of the UN- Habitat New York Office. Presentations were delivered by Ms. Marissa Plouin (OECD) , Mr. Emeka Obioha (Nigeria), Mr. Jan Wampler (MIT and University of Southern Florida) and Ms. Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter (FAIA, Woodbury School of Architecture).
Following the panel presentations, the Chair facilitated an interactive dialogue among panelists and other participants, further the exchanges among them around raised questions and comments from the floor.
The meeting participants highlighted that Housing is a vector for socioeconomic inclusion and development. Access to housing is a precondition for access to employment, education, health, and social services. A well-functioning housing market can be a vector for economic development and a potential source of job creation. In order to address the current housing challenges, all levels of government should put housing at the centre of urban policies by placing people and human rights at the forefront of the development agenda. A well-functioning housing sector and access to adequate housing can indeed make a real difference in the lives of our people and the prosperity of our countries and cities. The future of sustainable urbanization therefore depends on how policy makers position housing as a priority in the public debate around sustainable urban development. And in this endeavor, accessibility and universal design shall be actively promoted in housing and urban development. The needs of socially disadvantaged groups must be fully taken into account in housing and urban development by Governments, housing and urban development sector and the broad civil society including the private sector players.
Out of the rich discussions of the event, participants generated a set of policy and action-oriented recommendations for different levels of stakeholders to consider to address identified issues and challenges and to promote affordable housing for all especially including for those in the least developed and developing countries and those people in more vulnerable situations and status.
