WUF13 urges Africa to abandon borrowed urban development models

UN-Habitat is calling on African countries to abandon imported urban development models and rely more on local materials, traditional knowledge, and cultural characteristics in urban development and housing construction, Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), said at the regional ministerial meeting for African countries at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

She emphasized that sustainable development in African cities should not be based on one-size-fits-all external approaches, but on solutions that take into account the local context and the continent's natural resources.

"I urge a move away from imported urban development models. In housing construction, it is important to consider cultural characteristics, use local materials, and build on traditional and indigenous knowledge. Furthermore, the relationship between the choice of building materials and the carbon footprint must be considered, and the natural resources, which Africa possesses in abundance, must be maximized," Rossbach emphasized.

She noted that Africa is currently facing rapid urbanization, requiring long-term and sustainable solutions in housing, infrastructure, and urban planning.

Rossbach also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between African countries, international organizations, and financial institutions to implement sustainable urban development projects.