New York, Oct 30 (V7N) – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on cities worldwide to invest in urban regeneration and ensure access to adequate housing for all, warning that more than 3 billion people lack adequate housing, including 1.1 billion living in informal settlements.
In a message marking World Cities Day 2026, to be observed on October 31, Guterres said cities, which are home to more than half of the world's population, are facing growing challenges from ageing neighbourhoods, rising housing costs and intensifying climate risks.
Under this year's theme, “Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All,” the UN chief said revitalising existing urban areas could help expand housing, upgrade infrastructure and improve public spaces, making cities more resilient, inclusive and better connected.
He stressed that achieving this vision would require coordinated planning and partnerships among national and local governments, financial institutions, the private sector and communities.
Urban development strategies, he said, must address the needs of all residents, including women, young people, older persons and persons with disabilities.
“Housing is more than just shelter. It is foundational to tackling inequality and speeding sustainable development,” Guterres said, urging cities to work together to create greener, safer and more affordable urban environments where everyone has a place to call home.
Global Observance in China
The global observance of World Cities Day 2026 will take place in Fuzhou, China, on October 31. The event is jointly organised by China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Fujian Provincial People's Government and UN-Habitat, and hosted by the Fuzhou Municipal People's Government.
The programme will bring together government representatives, urban development experts, international organisations, private-sector participants and community representatives to discuss practical approaches to urban regeneration and adequate housing.
Activities scheduled from October 31 to November 2 include an opening ceremony, thematic forums, side events, exhibitions and city tours. The discussions will focus on urban planning and governance, implementation of the New Urban Agenda, and financing for inclusive urban regeneration and adequate housing.
The opening ceremony will also feature the presentation of the fourth-cycle Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities, known as the Shanghai Award, recognising achievements in sustainable urban development.
A Growing Global Housing Challenge
The scale of the housing crisis is further highlighted in UN-Habitat's World Cities Report 2026, which estimates that up to 3.4 billion people worldwide lack access to adequate housing, secure tenure, basic services or affordable living conditions. More than 1.1 billion people live in informal settlements and slums.
The report identifies housing affordability, displacement, insecure living conditions, climate-related risks and declining neighbourhood liveability as interconnected challenges facing cities.
UN-Habitat says urban regeneration can help address these problems by improving existing neighbourhoods and expanding access to safe and affordable homes. However, it stresses the importance of community participation and safeguards to prevent residents from being displaced by rising rents or redevelopment.
The agency also highlights the need to connect housing improvements with better public spaces, infrastructure, transport links and climate resilience.
World Cities Day, observed annually on October 31, was established by the United Nations in 2013 and first celebrated in 2014. It concludes Urban October, a month-long global campaign led by UN-Habitat to promote discussion and action on sustainable urbanisation.
The 2026 observance will provide an opportunity for governments, cities and communities to share experiences and explore ways to make urban development more inclusive, sustainable and affordable.
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