Housing Our Future: Architecture for a Greener, Safer, and More Affordable Habit

The International Union of Architects (UIA) is pleased to present an offsite event, in coalition with UN-Habitat and the Brazilian Government and supported by the French Government, under the theme “Housing Our Future: Architecture for a Greener, Safer, and More Affordable Habitat.” Hosted by the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY), the event part of the UN Summit of the Future Action Days, and will take place on September 21, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM (ET), at the Center for Architecture in New York.

In response to the UN Secretary-General's call for civil society's active participation in shaping a future that leaves no one behind, this event will gather experts and policymakers to present proposals and commitments to mitigate climate change and build resilience in human habitats. The focus will be on ensuring greener, safer, better, and more affordable habitats for all, with architecture and urban planning at the heart of this transformation.

The event will feature discussions on the policies and actions needed to support sustainable urbanization, particularly in developing countries that require targeted support to localize sustainable development strategies. It will explore how architecture can contribute to economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and cultural heritage protection.

The session will be moderated by Rui Leão, UIA Secretary-General and includes:

Raf Tuts, Director, Global Solutions Division, UN-HABITAT
André Correia do Lago, Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazil
Yves-Laurent Sapoval, Ministry of Ecological Transition, France
Regina Gonthier, President, UIA
Ruth Schagemann, President, Architects’ Council of Europe

Together, the speakers will address the critical role of architects and urban planners in leading the shift towards sustainable urbanization as a driving force for housing our future in a greener, safer, and more affordable habitat.