In a time where cities are evolving at an unprecedented rate, the need for sustainable urban development has become paramount. To tackle urban issues and explore innovative solutions toward the attainment of smart, sustainable, and resilient cities, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), will spearhead the first Philippine Urban Forum (PhUF) on October 5-6, 2023 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City.
Coinciding with the celebration of National Shelter Month and Urban October, the PhUF will be the first large-scale convention of urban actors. It aims to gather a diverse community of individuals, professionals, and enthusiasts who share a common vision of green, resilient, and sustainable cities.
The said forum is the local version of the World Urban Forum (WUF), which is recognized as the biggest international gathering for sharing practical knowledge, innovations, and experiences of countries in managing their human settlements and urbanization. The WUF, conducted every two years, was held in Poland in June 2022 and will be conducted again in Cairo, Egypt next year.
With the theme, “Transforming our cities and building resilient communities,” the PhUF aims to promote a participatory and whole-of-nation approach toward the implementation of the Philippine New Urban Agenda (PNUA) and other global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in particular, SDG 11 – make cities and human settlements, inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. It serves as a venue for policy dialogues, multi-stakeholder knowledge exchange, project funding mechanisms, and institutionalized coordination and support to advance sustainable urbanization in the country. The event will feature Dialogues and Assemblies, Roundtable and Panel Discussions, Training Events, Urban Exhibit and Gallery, and Investment Forum. The agreements and report will serve as input for the preparation of technical sessions and other information to be delivered by the Philippine delegation in the 12th session of WUF in 2024.
Whether you’re an expert in the field of urban planning, an advocate, or simply curious about how you can contribute to positive urban transformations, the PhUF is a valuable opportunity for learning, sharing, and connecting. The event is open to national government agencies (NGAs), local and regional government units, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, academe and research, and other communities and individuals who are interested in shaping our future cities and be a catalyst for positive change.
For more details, you may visit the Philippine Urban Forum Facebook/Twitter/Instagram page or contact the Environmental, Land Use, and Urban Planning and Development Bureau (ELUPDB) of DHSUD through landline at (02) 8424-40-89 loc. 1710 or email at ph.urbanforum@gmail.com. ###
