Reall at WUF12: Leading the Charge for Sustainable, Affordable Housing Solutions

The Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12), convened by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is set to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from 4th to 8th November 2024. With the theme “It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities,” this year’s forum addresses the fundamental challenges shaping urban life, including housing affordability, climate resilience, urban mobility, and access to essential services such as clean air, safe water, and public spaces. These issues directly impact the 4.4 billion people living in cities globally and reflect a broader understanding of “home,” which extends beyond physical buildings to encompass urban life’s social, cultural, economic, and environmental dimensions. 

This theme aligns closely with Reall’s mission to improve the lives of under-served households in African and Asian cities by building and increasing access to green, resilient, affordable homes. Our participation at WUF12 is a crucial opportunity to enhance thought leadership and strengthen partnerships with key funders and demonstrate our alignment to the conference priorities. By emphasising the importance of local actions, WUF12 invites participants to explore how values, innovations, and solutions can drive transformational change in urban communities. For Reall, it is a chance to contribute to the global dialogue on affordable housing and sustainable urban development, ensuring that progress begins locally, collaboratively, and without delay. 

Reall’s Key Event: Networking Session on Green Affordable Housing

As part of WUF12, Reall will host a networking session titled “Learning to Collaborate: Embracing the Role of International Donors and Investors in Delivering a Step-Change in the Supply and Demand of Gender-Sensitive Green Affordable Housing (GAH)” on 5 November from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The session will be held in Multipurpose Room 3, Hall 2, a prime networking and collaborative engagement location. 

This session closely aligns with Dialogue 1: Housing Our Future and Dialogue 4: Financing Localisation and Localising Finance, two critical dialogues at WUF12. Dialogue 1 emphasises inclusive and sustainable housing solutions, a core area of Reall’s expertise and a conversation Reall is eager to lead. Meanwhile, Dialogue 4 focuses on unlocking local financing to accelerate SDG localisation, an essential framework for advancing gender-sensitive Green Affordable Housing (GAH). Together, these dialogues underscore the importance of international collaboration and investment to drive transformative, sustainable housing solutions and equitable urban development. 

Session Focus and Structure

Reall’s session will feature a panel discussion with Reall representatives, international donors, and investors. This informal ‘fireside’ conversation will draw from Reall’s vast experience in the housing sector, discussing how grant and investment funding can drive collaboration between governments, NGOs, and communities to scale gender-sensitive, green housing solutions.

The panel will be followed by an interactive open forum, where participants can ask questions, share insights, and influence future priorities through smart polling. This collaborative format ensures a high level of engagement and the opportunity to form strategic partnerships aimed at scaling affordable housing solutions.

Panel:

• Moderator: Mewahib Mohamed, Director of Programme and Business Development, Reall
• Catherine Lynch – Senior Urban Specialist, World Bank
• Mia Callenberg – Environmental Specialist, Global Environment Facility (GEF)
• Dr Folayinka Dania – Chief Resilience Officer, The Lagos State Resilience Office (LASRO)
• Julian Baskin – Principal Urban Advisor, Cities Alliance
• Nyale Yanga – Chief Financial Officer, Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC)

Session Objectives:

• Stimulate debate on the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in scaling inclusive and green affordable housing solutions.
• Explore innovative financing models that address the gap in funding for affordable green housing.
• Showcase the untapped $17 trillion potential of the green affordable housing sector.
• Highlight successful examples of public-private-philanthropic partnerships driving systemic change in the housing sector.

This session will elevate Reall’s role as a leader in the green affordable housing sector and promote innovative solutions and credible investment opportunities in the global housing market.

Special Engagements by Reall at WUF12

Reall is poised for active participation at the Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12), with our leadership engaging in a series of high-level discussions throughout the event.

• On November 6, 2024, Joy Wachira,  our Programme Lead for Green Affordable Housing in Kenya will present our Green Affordable Housing Finance (GAHF) initiative as a case study during the Business and Foundations Roundtable: “Unity in Action – Fostering Effective Partnerships for Our Common Goals” from 13:30 to 15:30. This presentation will provide valuable insights into how innovative financing models can support the scaling of affordable, sustainable housing solutions.
• Reall’s Director of Programme and Business Development, Mewahib Mohamed, will be a panellist at the “Inclusive Communities: Delivering Adequate Housing for All through Urban Regeneration” from 15:15 to 16:15 at the UN-Habitat Arena. This session will address the urgent need for coordinated, multi-sector efforts to foster inclusive communities in the face of growing inequalities. Discussions will explore urban regeneration as an approach to reduce spatial inequalities and increase access to adequate housing, highlighting the value of strong partnerships in achieving long-term impact. UN-Habitat will also outline its support for inclusive, diverse communities, while panellists from government, finance, and the private sector will share successful strategies, land policies, regulatory frameworks, and planning instruments.
• On November 7, 2024, following our participation at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum (BCGF) in Paris which was organised by the French Government with support from the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Reall’s Director of Programme and Business Development, Mewahib Mohamed will be attending the Roundtables organised by the French Ministry for Ecological Transition at the French Pavilion, titled  “Thinking about decarbonisation: the Building and Climate Summit” from 12:15 to 13:15.
• Joy Wachira, Reall’s Programme Lead for Green Affordable Housing in Kenya, will represent Reall in the “Building The Data Infrastructure to Support Investment in Affordable Housing Across Africa” which will be held in Multipurpose Room 13 from 13:00 to 14:30 on November 8, 2024. This event will showcase Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF) and partners’ innovative tools and resources that enhance data infrastructure for Africa’s affordable housing sector, supporting informed investment and policy decisions. Participants will explore practical data tools, share insights, and discuss adaptations for local applications across Africa and beyond.

In addition to our leadership team, several of Real’s partner organisations will also be present, most notably, ROOH will host a training session on November 5, 2024, titled “A Roof Over Our Heads (ROOH): Collaborative Resilience in Informal Habitats.“ This session will offer solutions drawn from Reall’s work in informal settlements, with a focus on resilience and collaboration in addressing housing challenges.

Looking Ahead: WUF12 and Beyond

WUF12 represents a pivotal moment for Reall to advance its leadership in the affordable housing sector. By actively participating in key dialogues, hosting strategic events, and engaging with international donors and investors, Reall is poised to play a leading role in shaping the future of green affordable housing.

As WUF12 ends, Reall will focus on building on the momentum gained, strengthening relationships with partners, and refining its strategy for delivering large-scale, sustainable housing solutions. With WUF13 already scheduled for 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Reall is committed to staying at the forefront of global urban development, aligning its mission with international efforts to address housing and climate challenges.

Join Reall at WUF12 as we drive forward the conversation on sustainable, inclusive, and green affordable housing, and help shape a future where everyone has access to a safe and affordable home.