Poland Special Session: Rebuilding Communities…

Poland Special Session: Rebuilding Communities and Neighbourhoods After War and Natural Disasters - World Urban Forum 11th Session (WUF11, 26–30 June 2022, Katowice, Poland)

The war in Ukraine, the refugee crisis in Poland and in other countries hosting refugees from Ukraine, as well as natural disasters affecting various parts of the world, show how important the human aspect is in the social and economic recovery of post-conflict areas. Huge losses in housing infrastructure, rapid impoverishment of the population and mass migrations cause loss of stability that in the long-term may lead to a slowdown or even the end of the recovery process.

This session will reflect on how to involve organizations and institutions in the rebuilding process. In addition to expert discussions, it will be an opportunity to hear from cities that have experienced conflicts and natural disasters.

1. What kind of analytical tools can help to understand the social and economic dimension of the impact of war and other conflicts, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to damage assessments of housing, neighbourhoods and cities?   2. What kind of programmes are needed to put the social and economic aspects of recovery and reconstruction front and centre, including through spatial planning and architecture, local financial planning and mechanism to the involvement of local stakeholders and communities? 3. How to engage social organizations in the social reconstruction of cities after the war, including their contribution in the process of planning and reconstructing urban space?