From 17 to 22 May 2026, the 13th session of the World Urban Forum（WUF13）was held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.Under the central theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”, WUF13 placed housing policies at the heart of the global urban agenda, addressing one of the most urgent challenges for cities today: how to ensure adequate, inclusive, safe and resilient living conditions for all.
The WUF13 brought together an impressive community of urban actors, with around 58,000 participants, from 176 countries, including policy-makers, mayors, planners, researchers, civil society organizations, international institutions and many young urban professionals.Heads of state, heads of government and senior-level representatives from more than 30 countries, together with leaders of relevant international organizations including the Vice Premier of China, attended the summit.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a video address. Photo by IISD/ENB
Anneke Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, declared the forum open.Photo by IISD/ENB
Prof. Pietro Elisei, President of GDA, was invited to attend WUF13. He exchanged views with participants including Chinese delegates, served as Convener of the Expert Panel, and presented certificates for the First Cycle of International Outstanding Practices on Urban Regeneration. He also took part in partner-led events and relevant thematic discussions during the forum.
During the WUF13, the first cycle of the International Outstanding Practices on Urban Regeneration (IOUPR1), a joint effort between Shanghai University and UN-Habitat, was officially concluded with a Certificate Presentation Ceremony hosted at the China City Pavilion. The first cycle attracted 77 eligible submissions from 17 countries and 39 cities, covering a broad range of regeneration themes, including housing and slum upgrading, culture and heritage-led regeneration, smart regeneration, urban-rural linkages, waterfront revitalization, and industrial land regeneration.
Prof. Pietro Elisei participated as Expert Convener of the International Expert Panel, together with Shi Nan, Executive Director/Secretary General of the Urban Planning Society of China, contributing to the review and selection process of the submitted practices. The ceremony represented an important moment of international exchange on urban regeneration, highlighting innovative approaches, people-centred interventions, and practical experiences from cities and institutions across the world.
Prof. Pietro Elisei (left); Prof. Shi Nan (right); Fiona McCluney,Chief of the Policy and Legislation Section of UN-Habitat(middle).
Prof. Pietro Elisei presented the certificate to Elsa Kenningham the representative of the project Loughborough Junction: Adaptable Neighbourhood, London, UK
Prof. Pietro Elisei presented the certificate to Prof. Chen Chen, vice dean College of Architecture and Urban Planning of Tongji University, the representative of the project Comprehensive development enhancement and community co-creation practices in the “Two mountains” concept demonstration zone of Yu village, Huzhou, China
The IOPUR team and representatives of recommended projects.
Prof. Elisei participated in the partner-led event “Voices from Cities”. The event, titled Urban regeneration and housing: people-centred urban intervention to advance more sustainable cities, brought together international policymakers, urban experts, and practitioners to discuss innovative approaches to urban regeneration and housing affordability.
Prof. Elisei moderated the second session, which focused on the relationship between urban regeneration and housing affordability. During the session, Prof. Elisei emphasized the need to move beyond purely physical redevelopment models towards regeneration approaches that integrate social inclusion, affordability, environmental sustainability, and local economic development. He also stressed the importance of international knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing sustainable urban futures. Prof. Shi Nan, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the Urban Planning Society of China, reflected the First Cycle and provided guidelines for the Second Cycle.
Prof. Pietro Elisei moderated the session. Prof. Shi Nan, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the Urban Planning Society of China, reflected the First Cycle of IOPUR1 and explained the guidelines of the Second Cycle.