MENA Urban Housing Practitioners Hub
Why we need a MENA-focused hub
In the MENA region, it is predicted that over two thirds of the population will live in cities by the middle of this century, and where it is also expected that by 2025, 31 cities in the region will have a population of at least 1 million people.
It is also a region where the forces underlying urbanization vary widely from one country to another.
Despite the variegated landscape shaping MENA urbanism, challenges in achieving equitable access to adequate and sustainable housing are persistent across the region, with climate change, increasing cost of housing, significant displacement and fragility contributing to ever-higher rates of vulnerability.
Upcoming events
Creating new partnerships
Building on the momentum and partnerships created as part of the MENA regional and national housing fora, the MENA Urban Housing Practitioners Hub (MENA-UHPH) is envisioned as an open platform for the exchange and dissemination of knowledge and best practices regarding housing and urban issues in the MENA region.
The Hub will provide practitioners and researchers with opportunities to regularly convene and engage in collaborative discussions and work around housing and urban issues in the MENA region.
Objectives & outcomes
Ultimately, the MENA-UHPH's long-term goal is to impact the quality and scale of housing and urban policies in the region, towards further fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda.
Proposed primary activities
- Convene bimonthly webinars on relevant housing & urban development topics identified by peers/members;
- Drive a research agenda and undertake research on identified issues, developing knowledge products, such as policy papers, research studies, and audio-visual material;
- Collaborate with annual National Housing Fora across MENA;
- Implement a biannual (every two years) in-person MENA Urban Forum in different countries of the region;
- Advocate amongst and external to the sector to promote enabling housing policies;
- Foster sector learning through exposure visits and exchange.
Membership
Membership of the MENA-UHPH by sector peers would be actively pursued. Membership – with a target of 10 members by end of year one, is critical in building credibility, visibility, reach and impact of the MENA-UHPH.
A membership fee is not anticipated, however – members would commit to supporting / subsidizing costs related to the MENA-UHPH activities.
Core partners
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