The International Federation of Pedestrians (IFP), represented by Olena Kuzhym and Alan Raposo in person as well as Jolien Vandoorne online, contributed to five sessions at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Through workshops, networking events, panel discussions and knowledge-sharing activities, IFP brought a pedestrian perspective to global conversations on housing, resilience, public space and urban development.
Held under the theme Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities, WUF13 highlighted the importance of adequate housing as more than a dwelling. Housing includes access to safe public spaces, everyday services, social networks and opportunities. For IFP, the forum provided an opportunity to demonstrate that the quality of housing cannot be separated from the quality of the streets, sidewalks and neighbourhoods that connect people to daily life.
Discovering Tools for Safer Streets and Liveable Housing Environments
As part of the WUF Academy programme, IFP coordinated and co-organised the session Discovering Tools for Safer Streets and Liveable Housing Environments. The workshop explored practical tools that cities can use to improve walkability, accessibility and the public spaces surrounding housing.
Alan Raposo together with Olena Kuzhym presented work developed through the REALLOCATE project, including the SidewalkScanner and new approaches to collecting and analysing pedestrian data. The session brought together an exceptional group of speakers, including Luka Novačko (University of Zagreb), who presented work on simulations and digital planning tools; Tural Guliyev (ADA University and Politecnico di Milano), who explored the role of artificial intelligence in understanding urban environments; Silvia Spolaor (Universidade do Porto), who shared insights from the JUST STREETS project; Razan Abudalu and Noor Korabi (Elbayader for Social & Economic Development of Arab Society in Israel), who presented inspiring experiences from Palestine; and Michael Mehaffy (SUSTASIS Foundation), who introduced participants to emerging work on New Pattern Languages for urban spaces.
A key message emerging from the discussion was that technological innovation must be combined with participatory methods. Digital tools can help identify barriers and opportunities, but understanding how people experience urban environments requires walking audits, walk-along interviews and direct engagement with local communities.
Developing the Walking Ambassadors Programme
One of IFP’s most significant contributions at WUF13 was the networking event dedicated to the emerging Walking Ambassadors Programme, a new initiative being developed together with UN-Habitat.
The programme seeks to create a global network of individuals and organisations who can champion walking within their communities, strengthen local advocacy, support knowledge exchange and connect local action with international urban agendas.
The session brought together participants from cities, civil society organisations, academia and international institutions to discuss how Walking Ambassadors could support healthier, safer and more liveable communities. Discussions explored questions of visibility, legitimacy, recognition and long-term sustainability, while highlighting the importance of local leadership in advancing pedestrian-friendly urban environments.
The strong interest generated during the session confirmed the growing international demand for stronger networks supporting walking advocacy and people-centred urban development.
Everyday Housing, Everyday Walking: Gender, Care and Neighbourhood Liveability
Through the JUST STREETS project, IFP also contributed to the Urban Library session Everyday Housing, Everyday Walking: Gender, Care and Neighbourhood Liveability.
The session explored the relationship between housing, public space, care responsibilities and everyday mobility. Coordinated by Jolien Vandoorne she joined remotely alongside Giulia Melis (Fondazione LINKS), Polina Medvedeva (Climate Alliance), Niharika Mathema (Digo Bikas Institute), Silvia Spolaor (University of Porto) and Alan Raposo to discuss how neighbourhoods are experienced differently depending on gender, age, caregiving responsibilities and other social factors.
The discussion highlighted the importance of designing housing environments that support everyday walking, provide access to services and create public spaces that are safe, inclusive and welcoming for everyone. It reinforced the idea that mobility, housing and public space should not be treated as separate policy areas but as interconnected elements of liveable communities.
Public–Private Partnerships for Resilient Urban Transformation
IFP also participated in discussions on Public–Private Partnerships for Resilient Urban Transformation, contributing a civil society perspective to debates about urban governance and project delivery.
The intervention emphasised that successful urban projects should not be evaluated solely on whether infrastructure is delivered, but on whether intended social outcomes are achieved over time. For pedestrian infrastructure and public-space projects, this means considering impacts on walkability, accessibility, safety, public health and social inclusion.
The discussion highlighted the importance of accountability, transparency and meaningful community participation to ensure that partnerships contribute to the common good and continue delivering benefits long after construction is completed.
The Future of New Housing: Shifting from Car-Centric Design to Car-Free Design
IFP’s final contribution focused on the relationship between housing and mobility through the networking event The Future of New Housing: Shifting from Car-Centric Design to Car-Free Design.
The session explored how new housing developments can move beyond car-dependent planning models and instead prioritise walking, public transport, accessibility and high-quality public spaces. Discussions considered the role of street design, proximity to services, community facilities and public space in creating neighbourhoods that support everyday life without requiring dependence on private vehicles.
The conversation reflected a growing recognition that housing policy and transport policy must be developed together. Neighbourhoods designed around walking and proximity can improve quality of life, reduce emissions, strengthen social connections and support healthier communities.
Building New Partnerships and Looking Ahead
Beyond the formal programme, WUF13 provided valuable opportunities to strengthen partnerships and exchange ideas with practitioners, researchers, city representatives and civil society organisations from across the world.
IFP participated in a walkshop exploring public-space interventions in Baku and engaged with numerous organisations working to create safer, healthier and more people-centred cities. Discussions with partners such as the Carfree Cities Alliance highlighted opportunities for future collaboration and collective action around walking, accessibility and the transformation of urban space.
Across all five sessions, a common message emerged: walking is not simply a transport issue. It is closely connected to housing, accessibility, public health, climate resilience, social inclusion, gender equality and community wellbeing.
Whether discussing new technologies, local leadership, care-centred neighbourhoods, governance models or the future of housing design, the ability to move safely and comfortably on foot remains fundamental to creating cities that are truly liveable, resilient and inclusive.
IFP would like to thank all organisers, partners, speakers and participants who contributed their knowledge, experiences and perspectives throughout the forum. The conversations initiated at WUF13 will continue through ongoing collaborations, future projects and the continued development of initiatives such as the Walking Ambassadors Programme.
Together, these efforts are helping strengthen a growing global movement working towards safer streets, better public spaces and more people-centred urban futures.