About the Forum

The Department of Building and Construction Techniques Engineering is organizing the Fifth Sustainable Cities Forum on the morning of Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at Al-Mustaqbal University, with broad participation from students and individuals interested in climate action and environmental sustainability.

This year, World Cities Day highlights the global housing crisis. In this context, UN-Habitat has issued the World Cities Report 2026, entitled “The Global Housing Crisis: Pathways to Action,” which addresses housing deficits and the upgrading of informal settlements. The report represents the latest global assessment of the housing crisis and its associated challenges, including housing affordability, displacement, informal housing, resilience, sustainability, and quality of life.

The report indicates that as many as 3.4 billion people lack adequate, safe, and secure housing, while more than one billion people live in informal settlements and slums, where conditions are characterized by insecure tenure, overcrowding, exposure to environmental hazards, and limited access to essential services.

The global housing deficit increased from 251 million units in 2010 to 288 million units in 2023. The report emphasizes that adequate housing is a fundamental pillar of sustainable urban development and human well-being. It calls for inclusive and participatory housing policies that strengthen community-led initiatives and support the development of cities that are more equitable, greener, and more resilient.