WUF13 Urges Housing Finance System Reform

Why this is here: The Baku Call to Action specifically identifies fragmented planning systems as reinforcing spatial inequality and inefficient urban growth by separating housing from essential services.

Participants at the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, issued a call to action demanding changes to global housing finance systems. The Baku Call to Action states current systems exclude millions and worsen housing inequality. It points to unequal credit access and insufficient public investment as key problems.

The document asks for a complete review of how housing is financed. This includes strengthening local finances and finding new ways for cities to generate revenue.

It also requests that development banks and private companies prioritize credit access. They should create long-term financial plans that consider regional differences and support vulnerable populations.

The call to action notes that disconnected planning systems contribute to unequal urban growth. It advocates for integrated planning that links housing to land use, services, and transportation.

The document acknowledges a need for local authorities and community groups to collaborate on solutions. However, it does not detail how to overcome existing barriers to cooperation.