Baku, Azerbaijan, May 20, 2026 | University Press Office (UNPO) —
Strengthening its international footprint in urban planning, sustainable development, and post-conflict recovery research, the University of Duhok (UOD), through the College of City and Regionsl Planning is participating in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), organized by UN HABITAT in Baku, Azerbaijan, by the active engagement of Dr. Layla Mohamed Raswol, Dean of the college.

Held under the global theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” the Forum brings together leading universities, UN agencies, policymakers, researchers, and urban development professionals from around the world, more than 100 countries, to address critical challenges related to housing, displacement, climate resilience, and inclusive urban governance.

As part of the Forum’s international agenda, Dr. Layla is participating in three major academic and policy-oriented sessions, on May 18, 19 and 20, representing the University of Duhok in discussions focused on land governance, housing recovery, urban resilience, and community-centered planning. The participation reflects UOD’s strategic vision of connecting local expertise with global platforms to generate evidence-based solutions for rapidly changing urban environments.

Among the most prominent sessions is the high-level event titled “Land Governance Pathways to Adequate Housing, Informal Settlement Transformation and Crisis Recovery in the Middle East,” organized by UN-Habitat, the Arab Land Initiative, and the Urban Training and Studies Institute of Egypt (UTI). The session examines regional experiences in housing rights, land administration, informal settlement transformation, and post-conflict urban recovery across countries including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

Within this forum, Dr. Layla contributes to the panel discussing “Land Governance Mechanisms in Post-Crisis Settings”, focusing on Iraq’s experiences in addressing land disputes, restitution, displacement-related housing challenges, and peacebuilding through inclusive urban governance frameworks. Her participation highlights the increasing relevance of UOD’s academic expertise in supporting policy dialogue on urban recovery and sustainable reconstruction.

Highlighting yesterday's agenda, Prof. Dr. Layla delivered a prominent presentation during a session titled “From Shelter to Systems: Rethinking Housing for IDPs in Kurdistan Region, Iraq.” This session, co-branded with UN-Habitat, addressed the critical transition from temporary emergency shelters to long-term, sustainable housing frameworks for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region.

Dr. Layla additionally contributes to an international Urban Cinema Event organized by Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) and global research partners. The event explores themes of tactical urbanism, public-space co-production, and conflict-sensitive urban design through interdisciplinary discussion and documentary-based engagement, emphasizing how participatory planning approaches can strengthen social cohesion in post-displacement communities.

The World Urban Forum (WUF) was established in 2001 by the United Nations to address one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanization. The forum serves as a global platform to examine the profound impact of this urban growth on communities, cities, economies, climate change, and policies.

The college’s participation in WUF13 reflects the University’s broader strategic priorities under its 2023–2038 Strategic Plan, particularly in the areas of:

• International academic engagement and research cooperation
• Sustainable cities and resilient urban communities
• Community-centered planning and social inclusion
• Strengthening academic contributions to public policy and development

Through its presence at one of the world’s leading urban development forums, the University of Duhok continues to position itself as a regional academic leader contributing to global conversations on urban sustainability, post-conflict recovery, land governance, and inclusive development.

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University Press Office (UNPO), May 20, 2026
Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali

The News Keywords

World Urban Forum Baku 2026, University of Duhok urban planning, sustainable cities Kurdistan, housing recovery and land governance, UOD international partnerships