WORLD URBAN FORUM: EXPLORING PROXIMITY FOR THE FUTURE OF URBAN AND TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO AT THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD URBAN FORUM 12

Since August 2021, the “New Proximities”, an international research team, has organised monthly webinars, inviting a broad range of multidisciplinary experts. Through two years, researchers and practitioners provided insights on how to rethink our urban lifestyles through proximity, covering aspects of mobility, culture, emotions, innovation, economic development, citizen participation, and biodiversity, among others.

Proximity, understood as the physical and functional closeness of urban services, infrastructures, and communities, has emerged as a powerful response to the pressing challenges of modern cities. In the face of climate change, economic inequalities, and social fragmentation, proximity offers a blueprint for creating compact, connected, and inclusive urban spaces. By fostering walkability, enhancing public transportation, and encouraging mixed-use development, cities can become more resilient, environmentally sustainable, and socially equitable.

Event objectives: The event will conclude the seminar series on “New Proximities.” The objectives will be to reflect on the outcomes of the previous sessions and exchange on the following steps to expand the discussion's boundaries towards new proximities. Additionally, the World Urban Forum provides the opportunity to open the debate on New Proximities in the Global South region, investigating current practices and their potential applicability.

This half-day conference will delve into these issues through keynote presentations, expert panels, and open discussions. The session will be structured around three main themes:

1. Ecological Transition and Proximity: How can urban proximity reduce carbon footprints and promote greener, more sustainable living? This discussion will explore the role of proximity in reducing energy consumption, minimising urban sprawl, and encouraging local production and consumption cycles.

2. Economic Resilience through Proximity: Proximity supports sustainability and fosters economic resilience by creating local jobs, supporting small businesses, and enhancing local supply chains. Participants will discuss how proximity can be leveraged to create more self-sufficient and economically robust communities.

3. Social Inclusion and Urban Proximity: Cities prioritising proximity promote greater social inclusion by ensuring that essential services—such as schools, healthcare, and public spaces—are within easy reach of all citizens. This panel will focus on how proximity can reduce social inequalities and strengthen community bonds.

A Collaborative Session for Exploring Urban Solutions

This event represents a crucial opportunity for researchers, professors, academics, students, innovative urban planners and policymakers to engage in a rich dialogue about proximity. The conclusions drawn from this half-day session will not only feed into the broader agenda of the World Urban Forum but also have the potential to significantly shape more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive urban futures for all. It will also feed into the ongoing #HousingMatters thematic campaign under the World Urban Campaign led by UN-Habitat and a wide range of partner organizations.

This condensed yet dynamic session will explore the proximity paradigm in addressing the ecological, economic, and social challenges cities and territories face in the 21st century. With brief, impactful interventions and engaging discussions, the session aims to offer actionable insights and foster participant collaboration.

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