Green housing and urban development

The 13th World Urban Forum (WUF-13), held last week in Baku, Azerbaijan, attracted more than 40,000 delegates from 182 countries worldwide, focusing on discussions about new housing finance models, private investment, and green urban development in the region.

The green city of Baku, where WUF-13 took place. Photo: Vectorge

Affordable housing

As urban populations continue to grow across Latin America, policymakers warn that many governments are struggling to meet housing needs, climate risks, and rising inequality.

Euronews quoted Colombian Housing Minister Aydeé Marsiglia Bello as saying that governments cannot rely solely on public spending to address the scale of the housing crisis. “Public investment continues to play a fundamental role, especially in ensuring equity and protecting vulnerable communities.”

"However, the housing challenge today is too great for governments alone to address comprehensively," said Aydeé Marsiglia Bello. Therefore, Colombia is combining public subsidies, resource allocation and investment, focusing on leveraging regional advantages, promoting equitable and sustainable development, and engaging in multilateral cooperation to expand affordable housing.

Meanwhile, Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada announced that the city is preparing new legislation on “fair, affordable, and reasonable rent,” expanding social housing programs and protecting tenants. Mexico City is committed to implementing 200,000 such new housing units by 2030 as part of a broader effort to strengthen the country's economy . The program is aimed at low-income families, young people, and households displaced by climate change...

Looking at Asia, many countries in the region, such as Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, view social housing for rent as a cornerstone strategy to address urban housing issues. On May 22nd, Yonhap reported that South Korea announced plans to launch 90,000 rental housing units for young people in Seoul, aiming to expand housing supply and stabilize the real estate market. South Korea hopes this will help alleviate the housing pressure faced by its youth.

According to United Nations figures, nearly 3 billion people worldwide are currently living in substandard housing, including more than 1.1 billion in informal settlements and over 300 million who are homeless.

The World Urban Forum (WUF) is the United Nations' leading global conference on sustainable urbanization, bringing together policymakers, architects, urban planners, academics, and civil society representatives from around the globe. The forum provides a platform for sharing practical solutions and shaping global policy to ensure adequate housing for all, laying the foundation for greener, safer, and more inclusive cities.

For a green city

WUF-13 emphasizes that climate-related disasters are putting immense pressure on vulnerable urban systems, particularly in low-income communities and unplanned housing areas. As former Quito mayor Mauricio Rodas noted, more than half the world's population lives in cities, and that number is projected to increase to 70% in the near future. Cities generate 80% of global GDP, but also produce over 70% of carbon emissions.

The United Nations warns that the impacts of climate change are widespread, affecting every aspect of life, putting pressure on healthcare and education systems, undermining the economy, and fracturing social structures. In Colombia, through initiatives such as the Sustainable and Inclusive Housing Project, this South American nation is integrating climate-resilient housing that fits into public spaces and promotes social inclusion.

In Spain, Les Mamàs Belges park is a visionary landscape project that transformed an area devastated by the 2019 flash floods into a riverside forest and safe public space. The park utilizes natural processes to absorb floodwater, protect the surrounding urban area, and promote local biodiversity.

According to AFP , many cities are now turning to data-driven solutions to address the urban heat island effect. WRI's Cool Cities Lab platform allows urban planners to map heat hotspots and model effective cooling strategies. In Cape Town, for example, the platform helps identify areas where trees should be planted for optimal cooling.

These long-term solutions are complemented by short-term measures, such as applying reflective coatings to roofs, which can reduce indoor temperatures by up to 50°C. The Atlanta (US) government passed an ordinance requiring all new and replacement roofs to use cooling reflective materials starting in 2026.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/nha-o-va-do-thi-xanh-3338194.html