BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Culture and creative industries are becoming a key factor in sustainable urban development and economic growth, Denise Bax, Secretary of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), said during a panel session titled "UNESCO Creative Cities and Sustainable Urban Development" held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Trend reports.
"When culture does not remain on the periphery of urban development, it forms its very foundation," she noted.
Bax emphasized that creative spaces, which stimulate innovation, cultural expression, and local economies, increasingly face the threat of displacement today. According to her, this represents not only a marketing challenge but also a broader problem for preserving social cohesion in cities.
She pointed out that research shows the integration of culture and creativity into housing strategies and urban reconstruction programs strengthens social cohesion, diversifies local economies, and fosters the creation of more inclusive and resilient cities.
The third day of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) is underway in Baku.
On the first day, a ministerial meeting dedicated to the New Urban Agenda, a roundtable of ministers, assemblies of women and civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban well-being were held. A ceremony for raising the flags of the United Nations and Azerbaijan also took place within the framework of the forum.
The second day of the forum drew attention with the first-ever Leaders Summit. High-level discussions on the global housing crisis, urbanization policy, and urban resilience were held that day. At the same time, the Mexico City pavilion was inaugurated within the framework of WUF13. The pavilion was presented as an important platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin American region and preparing for WUF14.
WUF13, which has attracted more than 40,000 registered participants from 182 countries, will continue until May 22. Held under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” the forum brings together governments, international organizations, experts, and representatives of civil society to strengthen global cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development.
