The 13th in Baku’ At the World Urban Forum’ (WUF13), the Middle East and North AfricaHousing discussions in ’ went beyond construction goals and funding figures, focusing on resilience, dignity and long-term social stability.
Officials and philanthropic leaders from Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Morocco, as they face the realities of conflict and reconstruction, described how the region is increasingly linking housing policy with employment, climate cohesion and urban inclusion.
Among the strongest messages came from Lamia bint Majid Al Saud’, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies, who argued that housing solutions cannot be copied from one country to another.
Strategies should be built around data and local realities instead of “ approaches, ” said. “, we don't see this as a problem. It's about understanding communities and being creative with solutions.”
Afrika ’ drew attention to projects in which climate-resistant houses were built using natural materials and at the same time, local masons were trained and employment was created next to housing.
According to Alwaleed Philanthropies’, more than 1.2 million homes worldwide have been supported by models adapted to local conditions.
Al Saud also explained how Saudi initiatives are increasingly linking housing assistance, especially for women, to economic empowerment.
The organization, in partnership with Saudi authorities, provides housing units, vehicles and employment training, and connects beneficiaries to ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Careem to generate additional income.
His intervention reflected a broader shift in the MENA debates at WUF13’: housing is no longer seen only as infrastructure, but as part of a wider economic and social ecosystem.
Reconstruction came to the fore in the intervention of Palestinian Local Government Minister Sami Hijawi’nin, who used the forum to draw attention to the humanitarian and urban destruction caused by the war in Gaza’.
Despite serious financial pressures, Palestinian officials rely heavily on international cooperation, development banks and public-private partnerships to prepare for future reconstruction efforts.
Calling for stronger global support for the reconstruction of housing and urban infrastructure, “ said the Palestinian people have decided to stay on their territory.
Hijawi stressed that unemployment has risen sharply due to the war and underlined ongoing talks with international organizations, including the World Bank, to expand financial support programs.
For Palestinian officials, WUF13 served not only as an urban development forum, but also as a diplomatic platform to mobilize international support for reconstruction and long-term housing repair.
Fas’'s Minister of State for Housing Adib Benbrahim presented his country's housing strategy as a regional model of state-led urban transformation, backed by public-private sector investments.
Morocco, with programs aimed at the eradication of slums, middle-class housing, and urban renewal, became the capital of King VI. During Muhammad's time, he made housing the pillar of social policy.
According to Moroccan officials, more than 720,000 ’ homes have been developed through public-private partnerships, and more than 325,000 ’ people have benefited from slum resettlement programs since 2004.
The country is also moving towards a new subsidy model launched in 2024’te; shifts direct financial support from developers to citizens; It gives families more freedom to choose where to live and encourages social diversity.
In addition to housing construction, Morocco is investing in schools, health facilities and urban infrastructure in poor neighborhoods as part of broader urban transformation efforts.
