Reflections on the World Urban Forum in Cairo

Here are the voices of five individuals who participated at the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Cairo, Egypt, in November of 2024. They were selected due to their interaction with CCA and interest in carfree cities.

Ha Tran, HealthBridge of Canada, Vietnam

Attending WUF 12 was both inspiring and thought-provoking, especially as it related to themes of sustainable urban development and the pursuit of healthier, more livable and inclusive cities. The CCA networking discussions around carfree cities resonated deeply, emphasizing not just the environmental benefits of reducing car dependency, but also the profound social and health impacts. It became clear that designing spaces where people, rather than vehicles, take priority fosters stronger communities, reduces pollution-related health risks, and enhances urban livability.

One of the standout insights for me was how interconnected sustainable transport and inclusive urbanism are. The idea that mobility should be a right, not a privilege, aligns closely with HealthBridge’s mission to create equitable and livable cities. We learnt about successful examples of carfree initiatives and sustainable transport systems from diverse contexts. These stories highlighted how strategic design and policy can empower local communities, making cities not just places to live, but spaces to thrive. I left with a renewed sense of urgency and optimism, knowing that with collective effort, the vision of carfree, healthy cities is not just aspirational but achievable.

Jordi Bosch Pla, UN-Habitat, Kenya

One of the key takeaways for me was the importance of integrating active mobility and road safety into broader urban sustainability agendas. The discussions I participated in reinforced the idea that promoting cycling and walking isn’t just about transport (or the responsibility of transport planners). It’s about creating healthier, more inclusive, and climate-resilient cities, and everyone should be involved in this!

I saw in a few sessions how they put the emphasis on community-driven approaches, which emphasized that impactful solutions often arise from collaborations between local stakeholders and policymakers. This alignment of bottom-up and top-down strategies feels crucial for advancing active mobility and making cities safer and more liveable for everyone.

Marium Naveed, AtomCamp, Pakistan

At WUF12, the most important thing for me was hearing stories from practitioners, activists, and city government officials. They shared how they navigate systems and bureaucracies to bring people-friendly initiatives and infrastructure to cities. I heard stories of community action, persistence, and how good urbanism campaigns evolve over many years. These stories gave me hope for the work I’m doing in Pakistan.

Through my organization, I work with city administrations in multiple cities. I often face similar struggles, like getting city governments to support pedestrian-friendly initiatives, invest in public spaces, and adopt human-centered urban design. I also work to encourage them to use research and human-centered approaches in their city plans. Hearing seasoned professionals and large organizations talk about facing similar challenges gave me renewed hope and enthusiasm for my work. The second best part of WUF12 was the chance to meet so many like-minded people passionate about good urbanism. I also had chance encounters with people I had only known online before.

Some of my favorite moments were:

A workshop activity where we reimagined a street in Cairo for an imaginary young boy with a hearing impairment. A panel discussion on cycling shares pilot projects in various cities and their impact on urban life.

Boney Sensasi, HealthBridge, Uganda

Being a first time participant at WUF I was impressed by many things. However, a few demonstrations, presentations and discussions stand out and form the highlights of my experiences from the conference.

Demonstrations

The layout of the streets at the Cairo International Exbhition Center (CIEC) were a true demonstration of a typical street in a livable city. One could see how walkable the streets were; spacious, clearly marked, well-lit etc. The only downside, is that the planners did not set up cycling facilities for participants to cycle to various venues.

Launch of the Pan African Action Plan for Active Mobility.

The event highlighted the guide for African governments and other stakeholders concerning the priority actions to be implemented over the next ten years to ensure healthy, safe, equitable, and sustainable transport for the majority of people who walk and cycle. The event impressed me due to the fact that they talked of some activities we have been advocating for to our government officials. This UNEP event further stood out, as it fulfilled the promises made during the Walk21 conference in Kigali, Rwanda.

Supporting the Integration of Refugees in Cities.

Some of the fastest growing cities are in low-and middle-income countries, many of which also host large numbers of refugees. The presentation highlighted various initiatives cities are undertaking to help refugees adopt to their new surroundings. As livable cities advocates, we have a huge role to play in making this integration smoother for urban refugees. I was impressed most by the projects in a small town in Uganda (Koboko) that has put in place programs that offer refugees an equal opportunity as nationals.

Shared Wheels, Shared Spaces Impact: Bike-Sharing and Shared-Streets Initiatives

Focusing on bike sharing and shared streets initiatives, the event showcased how pilot programs are reshaping urban fabric while enhancing accessibility. A collection of case studies were highlighted from Arab and Middle East Countries. This was a very rich presentation and showed how Cairo has successfully advanced its bike sharing program. Participants were encouraged to visit central Cairo for a firsthand experience of the bike share project and I did. It is working well and very impressive.

Niharika Mathema, Digobikas Institute (DBI) and CCA

The World Urban Forum (WUF) in Cairo was a vibrant convergence of ideas, experiences, and perspectives on urban development. As one of the largest gatherings of urban thinkers, practitioners, and policymakers, the forum served as a dynamic platform for discussing the future of cities. The sheer scale of the event was both energizing and overwhelming, with sessions addressing issues like climate resilience, inclusive urban design, and sustainable development. However, while the Forum covered a breadth of topics, the depth of certain discussions seemed limited due to the packed agenda. The challenge lay in navigating the overwhelming volume of parallel sessions and ensuring that participation was meaningful and actionable.

Representing Digo Bikas Institute (DBI), I participated in a range of discussions and sessions, sharing my experiences and gaining valuable insights relevant to creating inclusive, car-free urban spaces. My engagement at WUF was both fulfilling and motivating. One of the most enriching aspects was the opportunity to lead several training sessions and panels, each of which provided a platform to delve deeper into critical urban topics. One of the sessions that stood out to me was Sensing the City, where I had the privilege of guiding participants through a hands-on exploration of how our senses—sight, sound, smell, touch, and even taste—shape our experience of urban spaces. The Place Woman Panel in particular was a highlight, as it offered a platform for discussing the vital role women play in shaping cities and the challenges they face in urban environments.

In-person interactions with like-minded professionals are invaluable; they provide an opportunity not only to share ideas but also to reenergize and reconnect with the shared purpose of creating better, more inclusive cities. The energy and passion that come from these face-to-face meetings are irreplaceable and act as a personal push to continue the work of transforming urban spaces into places where people of all backgrounds can thrive.

The Forum presented unparalleled opportunities for networking. It brought together people from diverse sectors—urban planners, local government officials, community leaders, and advocates for sustainable cities. For DBI and Carfree Cities Alliance (CCA), this was an invaluable chance to connect with other organizations working on similar goals, exchange ideas, and identify potential collaborators. One highlight was meeting representatives from cities piloting car-free initiatives, who shared their successes and setbacks. However, meaningful networking required proactive effort, as the scale of the Forum made it easy to feel lost in the crowd. Intentionality in attending specific sessions and following up on connections proved essential for making the most of these opportunities.

At WUF, DBI and CCA set up a special booth session to highlight our work, share our experiences, and engage with attendees on the topic of car-free urbanism. This provided us with a platform to showcase our efforts in promoting vehicle-free cities and interact with a diverse audience. While our booth attracted significant interest, it also underscored a crucial point—simply being present at such a high-profile event isn’t enough. To truly make our participation worthwhile, we have to be strategic and intentional. Our booth served as a starting point, but we could have leveraged additional opportunities such as panel discussions, workshops, or social media campaigns to amplify our message. Going forward, it will be essential for us to approach these forums with a clear, targeted agenda to ensure that our message is heard loud and clear, and our presence is felt in meaningful ways.

The Forum offered several key takeaways that are highly relevant to the Carfree Cities Alliance. Firstly, the importance of community-driven approaches to urban transformation stood out—projects rooted in local needs tend to be more impactful and sustainable. Secondly, we learned the value of integrating multiple dimensions of urban life, such as public health, equity, and culture, into city planning. Lastly, the Forum reinforced the need for consistency in advocacy; moments like WUF can energize movements, but the real work lies in sustaining momentum post-event. The true value of attending an event like WUF lies not just in the immediate experience, but in how we sustain the relationships and knowledge gained. We also need to ensure that our presence at such events translates into tangible action. This means turning ideas into concrete initiatives and ensuring that new partnerships contribute to our mission of creating car-free, livable cities. Furthermore, as we move forward, we need to continue evaluating our participation in such forums, setting clear objectives, and being intentional about how we use these platforms to advance our cause. By doing so, we can make the most of these opportunities and ensure that our work remains relevant, visible, and impactful on a global scale.

While the World Urban Forum in Cairo was an enriching experience, it also highlighted the need for strategic, intentional participation in such events. For CCA, we have an incredible opportunity to leverage our newfound connections and lessons learned to further our mission. The key to making the most of these events lies in maintaining relationships, turning ideas into action, and continuing to advocate for better urban futures.

Ultimately, while WUF can act as a catalyst for change, its true potential lies in ensuring that its outputs—policy recommendations, networking opportunities, and knowledge sharing—are tied back to local implementation efforts. The challenge is to bridge the gap between the global discourse and the realities on the ground, ensuring that the discussions lead to tangible improvements in urban governance, planning, and inclusivity. For the Forum to have a lasting impact, the focus must shift from one-time gatherings to fostering ongoing collaboration, accountability, and investment in local urban initiatives.