In May, global leaders, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), convened by UN-Habitat. The forum brought together tens of thousands of participants from around the world under the theme “Housing the world: safe and resilient cities and communities.” For five days, discussions centred on the global housing crisis with a focus on the economic, climate and equity impacts and challenges of housing in urban contexts.
A central gathering point for Canadian participation at WUF13 was the Canada Pavilion, which served as a hub for exchange among urban experts, government representatives, and civil society organizations. The pavilion, led by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, showcased Canadian innovations and perspectives on housing and urban development and addressed issues such as housing affordability, homelessness, climate-resilient construction and new financing models.
As part of Canada’s official delegation, U of T’s School of Cities (SofC) made its first appearance at the forum, contributing to conversations that bridged research, policy and practice.
Karen Chapple, director of the SofC and a professor in the Department of Geography & Planning, and Lara Muldoon, assistant director of strategic partnerships and initiatives, represented the school. Chapple participated in a roundtable on the role of academia and research in urban housing policy, hosted a workshop on urban data storytelling, and witnessed, along with Anacláudia Rossbach, undersecretary-general and executive director of UN-Habitat, the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UN-Habitat and the School of Cities.
Bridging research and real-world impact
At the heart of the school’s participation was a focus on knowledge mobilization — ensuring that academic research is not siloed, but instead reaches communities, policymakers and practitioners in meaningful ways.
As Chapple explained during the roundtable, SofC leverages new forms of data, visualization and communication to extend the reach and relevance of urban research into the communities who are affected by, and can affect, the issues. This approach resonated strongly at WUF13, where participants underscored the urgency of connecting research to action in the face of complex urban challenges.
Strengthening global partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding
A key milestone during the forum was the formalization of a new partnership between UN-Habitat and the School of Cities. Through a memorandum of understanding signed at WUF13, the two institutions committed to work together for up to five years to advance collaborative research, training and policy initiatives focused on sustainable urban development.
The agreement establishes a shared agenda centred on advancing affordable and adequate housing, strengthening urban data systems and supporting climate-resilient city-building efforts.
It also emphasizes global knowledge exchange, capacity-building, and city-to-city learning, ensuring that insights generated through research can inform policy and practice both in Canada and internationally.
Over time, it is expected to expand international collaboration, support evidence-based policy development and engage students and practitioners in applied urban research.
“This partnership will continue our work to bridge the gap between universities and communities, and to build our research questions from the communities around us. We’re excited to collaborate on such a global scale and also in so many local communities,” said Chapple.
Looking ahead
Participation in WUF13 signals the School of Cities’ growing role in global urban conversations. By bringing together interdisciplinary research, innovative data practices, and a commitment to public impact, the school is helping to shape how cities respond to the pressing challenges of housing, climate change and inequality.
