Roundtable on Inequality, Housing, and the Future of Urbanization

The global housing crisis affects an estimated 1.6 billion people worldwide who lack access to adequate housing and basic services.

This crisis is deeply intertwined with issues of governance, economic disparity, and social injustice. Housing provision is often viewed as a driver of economic development, yet the benefits are unevenly distributed, favoring affluent populations while marginalized communities struggle for basic shelter. This governance failure is exacerbated by the prioritization of profit-driven housing approaches and inadequate regulation, which allow speculation and exploitation in housing markets. 

On May 22, 2024, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just, and Inclusive Societies, in collaboration with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), hosted a virtual Roundtable on Inequality, Housing, and the Future of Urbanization, which focused on exploring housing issues through the lens of Sustainable Development Goal 16+ (SDG16+).

The roundtable aimed to address the intersection of inequality, inclusion, justice, and governance within the context of urban development and housing policy. The speakers ranged from activists to academics working on human development in cities across the world.