Land and housing cannot be treated purely as commodities — UN-Habitat chief

The current global situation points to an urgent need for effective governance, long-term strategic planning, and large-scale partnerships in housing policy, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Anacláudia Rossbach said during a panel discussion titled "Housing for Social Inclusion and Poverty Eradication," held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum 13.

According to Report, she noted that cities are currently under significant pressure due to climate change, forced migration, rising land prices, and growing social inequality.

"Land and housing cannot be treated purely as commodities. They perform a social and environmental function and must serve the public good. To build inclusive and sustainable cities, transformation of housing systems is necessary. In this context, key priorities include expanding social and public housing, upgrading informal settlements, and improving access to land and basic services," Rossbach emphasized.

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