IHC Global at the ninth World Urban Forum

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, February 6, 2018- Since the Habitat III conference in October 2016, IHC Global has championed the New Urban Agenda through advocating for cross-sectoral cooperation, global and local collaboration, and governmental accountability. This week at the World Urban Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, IHC Global is looking forward to highlighting the New Urban Agenda’s integrated approach to urban development, as well as discussing how countries around the world have committed to it. In addition to collaborating with our members and partners on issues like slum upgrading and urban density, IHC Global will host three key events focused on property rights, housing delivery and the use of smart city technology to advance more inclusive as well as more efficient urban development. We hope to share our panels and discussions with and gain valuable lessons from urban experts and policymakers from around the world.

From Theory to Reality: Using Data to Move the Bar on Property Rights for Women and the Most Vulnerable
Saturday, February 10, 2018
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Room 406

Join this evidence-based session as speakers draw upon the current experiences of four diverse groups and discuss research findings and promising practices to secure property rights for all. It will explore different ways in which data is collected and applied in order to affirm property rights. The event will be moderated by Judith Hermanson, President and CEO of IHC Global, and will feature the following speakers: Malcom Childress, Co-Executive Director of the Land Alliance; Karly Kiefer, Director for Policy and Advocacy for IHC Global; John Armstrong, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh; and the Huairou Commission.

Smart City. Just City: Working Towards a New Paradigm
Sunday, February 11, 2018
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Next City World Stage

Join IHC Global for the launch of its Smart City, Just City initiative, which will draw from different perspectives on technology and inclusiveness and unlock the synergies between the two urban discourses of efficiency and equity. IHC Global will present this new initiative at the World Stage and formally launch it with a panel discussion with representatives from city government, urban planning, civil society, and journalism on how they see the ‘smart city’ and ‘just city’ aligning in order to help drive effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda. The event will feature the following speakers: Judith Hermanson, President and CEO of IHC Global; Tom Dallessio, President, CEO and Publisher of Next City; Luisa Bravo, President of CitySpace Architecture; Catherine Pugh, Mayor of Baltimore (via video message); and Ahmed Eiweida, Lead Urban Specialist for The World Bank.

No Time to Waste: Housing Policy and Advancing the New Urban Agenda
Monday, February 12, 2018
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Room 306

Join this critical discussion on rapidly urbanizing countries, and the housing policies that evolve with them. IHC Global will be presenting our policy paper, “No Time to Waste,” which highlights actionable lessons drawn from 50 years of Latin America’s housing policies. After the presentation, housing policymakers and practitioners will respond with their own thoughts on effective housing policy approaches and how they can help advance the New Urban Agenda. The event will begin with a presentation from Judith Hermanson, President and CEO of IHC Global, and will feature William Cobbett, Director of Cities Alliance and Steve Weir, VP of Global Housing Innovation for Habitat for Humanity International as speakers.

IHC Global is a global coalition that stands at the nexus between the private sector and civil society promoting inclusive housing and sustainable cities. Co-founded by Habitat for Humanity International and the National Association of Realtors, IHC Global works at the policy and solution levels to meet the mounting global challenges of rapid urban growth. With over 50 percent of the population living in cities, urban growth increasing exponentially, and more than a billion urban dwellers living in slums and informal housing, it is more important than ever for urban experts and policymakers to gather and discuss how to build a sustainable urban future. The ninth World Urban Forum serves as this key meeting point. Please visit the World Urban Forum page on the IHC Global website to see the full schedule of ours, our member’s and other U.S. based organizations’ events.