GCH en el Foro Político de Alto Nivel (HLPF) de 2026

High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2026

Scaling affordable and sustainable housing in a rapidly urbanizing world

Side Event organized by Switzerland and co-hosted by Brazil

Thematic background

Rapid urbanization continues to reshape societies worldwide, with more than half of the global population now living in cities. While urban areas are key drivers of economic growth and innovation, they are also at the center of a deepening housing crisis and a growing share of environmental pressures, including resource consumption, land-use change, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Under SDG 11, Target 11.1 calls for ensuring access to adequate, safe and affordable housing for all. Yet, progress remains insufficient. Around one billion people still live in informal settlements globally, often in environmentally vulnerable areas exposed to climate risks. At the same time, in many high-income countries, rising housing costs, limited supply, and land constraints are driving affordability crises, increasing spatial inequality and pushing development toward less sustainable, car-dependent urban peripheries.

These challenges are closely linked to broader urbanization dynamics. Target 11.3 highlights the need for integrated and participatory urban planning. However, planning systems frequently struggle to align housing demand with environmental sustainability goals. Urban sprawl, inefficient land use, and slow progress on densification contribute to higher emissions, loss of green space, and increased infrastructure costs, particularly in developed countries.

At the same time, Target 11.a underscores the importance of coordination across national, regional, and local levels. All state levels are responsible for a coherent policy. Fragmented governance and misaligned policies often result in trade-offs between housing, transport, and environmental objectives, limiting the ability to develop compact, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient urban systems.

Addressing these interconnected challenges requires moving beyond isolated housing interventions toward integrated approaches that link affordability with sustainability. This includes promoting energy-efficient and affordable buildings, climate-resilient housing, compact urban development, and coordinated land-use planning. This side event will explore how countries and cities can scale affordable and sustainable housing solutions while simultaneously advancing environmental objectives and strengthening policy coherence across sectors and governance levels. It is in line with the World Urban Forum 13 which specifically put a “global spotlight on the urgent need to address the global housing crisis and position housing as a driver of inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development”.

Partner organizations

The event is organized by Switzerland and co-hosted by Brazil, in collaboration with the Global Cities Hub in Geneva. It is co-sponsored by the European Sustainable Development Network (ESDN), ICLEI Europa (tentative), the Comisión de Desarrollo Urbano, Vivienda y Ordenación del Territorio de la CEPE (tentative) and the Institute of Global Homelessness, amongst others.

Goals of the Side Event

This side event aims to advance global efforts to ensure access to affordable and sustainable housing. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the event aims to contribute to a more integrated and scalable approach to housing that supports both socioeconomic inclusion and environmental sustainability in urban development. Specifically, the event seeks to:

• Identify key policy, legal, financial, and governance barriers to delivering affordable and sustainable housing in both developed and developing countries.
• Highlight integrated approaches that connect housing provision with inclusive urban planning and multi-level coordination, including land-use planning, infrastructure development, and governance mechanisms.
• Showcase innovative solutions and good practices, including climate-responsive and resource-efficient housing models.

Guiding Questions

Structural challenges: What are the main causes of housing unaffordability in cities that are growing rapidly, and how can trade-offs, such as affordability versus sustainability, be negotiated in an integrated approach?

Coordination and governance: What governance reforms or multi-level coordination mechanisms are needed to align national policies with actionable regional and local implementation?

Scaling solutions: Which regulations, incentives, financing models and innovative approaches have been proven to expand access to affordable and sustainable housing without deepening inequality?

Global support and knowledge sharing: How can the broader UN System effectively support locally driven solutions, promote good practices, and accelerate progress toward inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities?

Agenda

Opening Remarks

Mr. Daniel DUBAS, Federal Council Delegate for the 2030 Agenda, Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE, Switzerland

Panelistas

Mr. Lavito BACARISSA, Executive Secretary of the National Commission on the SDGs (CNODS), Secretariat-General of the Presidency of the Republic, Brazil

Mr. Daniel DUBAS, Federal Council Delegate for the 2030 Agenda, Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE, Switzerland

Mr. Conradin CRAMER, President of the Government, Canton of Basel-City, Switzerland

Mr. Ildo GUSMÃO, Mayor of Francisco Morato (SP), Brazil

Open discussion moderated by

Ms. Anh Thu DUONG, Co-Director, Global Cities Hub, Geneva

Closing Remarks

Mr. Markus REUBI, State Secretary and Head of Swiss Delegation