BASE and UN-Habitat are hosting two insightful events at the upcoming World Urban Forum (WUF12), set to take place in Cairo from November 4th to 8th. This global forum unites government representatives, academics, businesses, urban planners, community leaders, and civil society to explore essential topics related to urbanisation. After years of collaboration with UN-Habitat on creating financing strategies for sustainable infrastructure, BASE is eager to share key learnings from this work.
Launching the Guidebook for cities hosting migrant communities
The first event, Urban Futures: Launching Methodologies for Sustainable Planning and Infrastructure Development in Migrant-Hosting Cities, will be the occasion to formally launch the Guidebook for Migration-informed Urban Planning, presenting a three-phased methodology tailored to assist cities hosting large migrant populations.
This publication, developed by UN-Habitat in collaboration with BASE and other partners, presents a three-phased planning methodology designed to support cities hosting significant migrant and displaced populations, addressing the unique urban development challenges they face. With over 60% of refugees and 50% of internally displaced people (IDPs) now living in urban areas, local governments are under immense pressure to accommodate these populations while simultaneously tackling broader urban challenges, including climate change.
The guidebook offers a comprehensive approach that covers spatial profiling, strategic planning, and infrastructure investment, equipping cities to develop sustainable, inclusive solutions. This event celebrates the collaborative efforts from Cameroon, Egypt and Jordan bringing together mayors, urban planners, donors, and finance experts to share lessons learned and best practices. Featuring real-world case studies and capacity-building stories, the event will delve into how these methodologies can be integrated into both local and national planning efforts, aiming to inspire how they can be applied across diverse migrant-hosting cities.
A networking event to discuss financing sustainable infrastructures in cities
The second event, Financing the Future of Our Cities: Collaborative Approaches for Inclusive and Sustainable Outcomes, is a networking session focused on linking urban planning with finance. In partnership with development institutions, this event will explore how integrated planning can effectively bridge short-term humanitarian responses with long-term urban interventions, driving more inclusive and resilient cities.
The objective of the event is to discuss the intersection between urban planning and finance which unlocks resources and opportunities for cities and enables them to address local challenges and accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It will showcase integrated planning approaches and impactful financing models which sustainably connect short-term responses with longer-term resilient development driving equitable urban development and enhancing socioeconomic opportunities for all.
The panel brings together the voices of urban and sustainable development experts, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), and climate finance specialists to offer a comprehensive view of urban development that spans financing, energy sustainability, community engagement, mobility, and risk management—covering critical areas for building resilient and inclusive urban environments across diverse regions.
The event aims to foster dialogue and knowledge-sharing strategies to mobilise resources and to promote and leverage development partnerships which are financially viable and responsive to local needs. The event will also emphasise the importance of actions grounded in consensus that reflect the collective vision and needs of the communities involved, and the importance of coalition building and co-creation for effective and impactful financing models.
To join the WUF in Cairo, you can register on the event’s official website. You can learn more and follow BASE’s events here and here.
