Concept Note

1. Background

Urbanisation is reshaping societies, economies and the relationship between people and the places in which they live. Cities are increasingly becoming centres of economic opportunity, innovation, cultural exchange and social transformation, while simultaneously confronting complex challenges related to housing, infrastructure, inequality, climate resilience and access to essential services.

Against this backdrop, the 2nd World Cities Day Connect 2026 will be convened in Chennai on 31 October 2026 under the theme “Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All.” The event seeks to provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration among government, urban practitioners, industry, academia, civil society and international organisations on pathways towards more inclusive, resilient and future-ready cities.

The event concept places particular emphasis on four interconnected dimensions: urban regeneration; heritage and modernisation; adequate housing for all; and global alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 11.

Chennai provides an important setting for this dialogue. The concept document positions the city as a major economic and industrial centre where heritage, contemporary infrastructure and urban growth intersect, creating opportunities to demonstrate how metropolitan development can be pursued while retaining cultural identity and advancing inclusive growth.

2. Rationale

The challenge of adequate housing cannot be addressed in isolation from the broader question of how cities are planned, financed, regenerated and governed. Housing is intrinsically connected to mobility, public infrastructure, employment, environmental sustainability, social inclusion and the overall quality of urban life.

The regeneration of existing urban areas presents an opportunity to move beyond fragmented development models and promote people-centred urban transformation. Such transformation should seek to improve the quality and resilience of neighbourhoods while ensuring that development does not undermine affordability, accessibility, cultural identity or social cohesion.

The 2nd World Cities Day Connect therefore seeks to facilitate a multi-stakeholder conversation around the question:

“How can cities regenerate in ways that are inclusive, sustainable, resilient and capable of ensuring adequate housing and better living conditions for all?”

The event will connect local urban priorities with the broader objectives of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, while encouraging practical partnerships and solutions that can contribute to long-term urban transformation.

3. Theme

Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All

The theme recognises that the future of cities depends not only on new infrastructure and expansion, but also on the responsible regeneration of existing urban environments.

The discussion will explore how cities can:

• Regenerate urban systems through resilient infrastructure, improved public spaces and adaptive urban renewal;
• Advance adequate housing by promoting inclusive, accessible and dignified housing solutions;
• Balance heritage and modernisation by protecting cultural identity while embracing innovation, mobility and future-ready urban design;
• Strengthen people-centred development by placing communities, particularly vulnerable and underserved populations, at the centre of urban decision-making; and
• Accelerate SDG implementation by translating the principles of sustainable urbanisation into local action.

4. Overall Objective

To provide a global and multi-stakeholder platform for advancing dialogue, partnerships and action towards inclusive, resilient, sustainable and people-centred urban development, with particular attention to urban regeneration and adequate housing for all.

5. Specific Objectives

The World Cities Day Connect 2026 will seek to:

1. Facilitate policy dialogue among governments, urban authorities, development institutions, private sector actors, academia and civil society on emerging urban challenges and opportunities.
2. Advance the discourse on adequate housing as a critical foundation for equitable and sustainable urban development.
3. Promote integrated approaches to urban regeneration connecting housing, infrastructure, mobility, public spaces, climate resilience and community development.
4. Explore innovative and scalable solutions in urban planning, financing, construction, technology, housing and sustainable infrastructure.
5. Strengthen partnerships between public institutions, private sector, civil society, academia and international organisations.
6. Position Chennai as a platform for urban knowledge exchange, connecting local experience with national, regional and global perspectives.
7. Accelerate implementation of SDG 11 through practical commitments, partnerships and locally relevant solutions.

6. Key Thematic Areas

A. Urban Regeneration and Resilient Infrastructure

The session will examine strategies for revitalising existing urban areas through resilient infrastructure, sustainable public spaces, adaptive reuse and integrated urban renewal.

B. Adequate Housing for All

The discussion will focus on inclusive, accessible, safe and dignified housing, including approaches that address affordability, housing delivery, social inclusion and the needs of underserved communities.

C. Heritage, Identity and Modernisation

Cities must evolve without losing the cultural and historical identities that make them distinctive. This theme will explore how heritage conservation can coexist with contemporary planning, infrastructure and economic development.

D. Climate-Responsive and Sustainable Cities

Urban regeneration must be resilient to climate and environmental pressures. The discussion will consider sustainable construction, resource efficiency, green infrastructure, climate adaptation and environmentally responsible urban development.

E. Financing the Future City

The session will explore innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships involving governments, developers, financial institutions, investors and impact-oriented organisations to support inclusive urban transformation.

F. Technology, Innovation and Smart Urban Solutions

Digital technologies, proptech, data systems, clean energy, intelligent infrastructure and innovation can support better urban services and decision-making. The dialogue will consider how technology can remain inclusive and people-centred.

G. Participatory and People-Centred Urban Governance

Sustainable cities require meaningful participation by residents and communities. This theme will focus on inclusive planning, local governance, civic engagement and community ownership of urban transformation.

7. Target Participants

The World Cities Day Connect will convene a diverse range of stakeholders, including:

• Government ministries, departments and policymakers
• Urban local bodies and city authorities
• Real estate developers and builders
• Urban planners, architects and infrastructure professionals
• Banks, housing finance institutions and investors
• ESG, sustainability and climate leaders
• Universities, researchers and think tanks
• Civil society and community organisations
• UN agencies and international organisations
• Technology, proptech, clean-energy and innovation companies
• Media, thought leaders and changemakers

This multi-stakeholder composition reflects the event's intended role as a platform linking policy, knowledge, finance, innovation and implementation.

8. Proposed Format

The event will adopt a high-level, multi-stakeholder format combining:

Opening Session

Welcome remarks, institutional perspectives and framing of the World Cities Day 2026 agenda.

Keynote Dialogue

A high-level intervention on the future of sustainable and inclusive urbanisation.

Policy and Leadership Panels

Focused discussions bringing together government, international organisations, industry, academia and civil society.

Urban Solutions Dialogue

Presentation and exchange of practical approaches, technologies, models and initiatives relevant to urban regeneration and adequate housing.

Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue

An interactive segment designed to identify areas for collaboration and partnership.

Commitments and Way Forward

Identification of priority actions and opportunities for continued cooperation following the event.

9. Expected Outcomes

The World Cities Day Connect 2026 is expected to contribute to:

• Enhanced Policy Dialogue: Strengthened exchange among urban stakeholders on sustainable urbanisation and adequate housing.
• Knowledge Exchange: Sharing of evidence, innovations, practices and urban solutions that can be adapted across cities.
• Partnership Development: Identification of potential collaborations among government, private sector, academia, civil society and international organisations.
• Action-Oriented Recommendations: Development of practical recommendations around urban regeneration, housing, infrastructure and inclusive urban development.
• Greater SDG Alignment: Increased awareness and action towards SDG 11 and related Sustainable Development Goals.
• Chennai Urban Leadership: Greater visibility for Chennai as a platform for dialogue and innovation on inclusive and sustainable urban development.
• Long-Term Collaboration: Establishment of opportunities for continued engagement beyond the event through partnerships, initiatives and knowledge-sharing mechanisms.

10. Key Principles

The event will be guided by the following principles:

• Inclusivity – ensuring that urban development responds to the needs and aspirations of diverse communities.
• Equity – addressing disparities in access to housing, infrastructure, services and opportunities.
• Sustainability – ensuring that urban development respects environmental limits and promotes long-term prosperity.
• Resilience – strengthening cities' capacity to anticipate, absorb and recover from social, economic and environmental shocks.
• People-Centred Development – placing people, communities and quality of life at the heart of urban transformation.
• Partnership – recognising that sustainable urban development requires cooperation across sectors and institutional boundaries.

11. Strategic Alignment

The World Cities Day Connect 2026 is designed to contribute to the global sustainable urbanisation agenda and will be particularly aligned with:

Sustainable Development Goal 11
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

The event will also provide opportunities to consider interlinkages with other SDGs, particularly those relating to poverty reduction, health and well-being, decent work, reduced inequalities, climate action and sustainable consumption and production.

The event documentation specifically positions the Connect as part of World Cities Day 2026 and links its core agenda to SDG 11 and the broader vision of better cities and better lives.

12. Chennai as the Host City

Chennai represents a compelling urban context for this global conversation. The city combines a significant population base with a strong economic ecosystem spanning manufacturing, information technology, education, healthcare and infrastructure. It also presents a distinctive convergence of cultural heritage and modern urban development.

As Chennai continues to experience urban transformation and increasing demand for housing, infrastructure and climate-responsive development, the city offers an important setting to examine how growth can be pursued while advancing inclusive, sustainable and people-centred urban development.

13. Intended Impact

The 2nd World Cities Day Connect 2026 is envisioned not merely as a conference, but as a platform for Ideas, Partnerships and Action for Better Cities.

Its long-term ambition is to contribute to a new generation of urban development approaches in which regeneration is understood not simply as physical redevelopment, but as a process of creating more inclusive neighbourhoods, more resilient infrastructure, more adequate housing, stronger communities and more sustainable cities.

The event seeks to connect global commitments with local action and encourage stakeholders to move from dialogue towards measurable collaboration and impact.

14. Organisational Framework

Organised by

Sustainable Development Council

Official Event of

31 October · Better City, Better Life

Supported by

UN-Habitat

The event will be organised by the Sustainable Development Council (SDC) and the event document identifies UN-Habitat as a supporting organisation.

The Connect will encourage participation and collaboration from government institutions, international organisations, development partners, businesses, financial institutions, academic institutions, civil society and community stakeholders.

15. Conclusion

The future of cities will be determined by the choices made today about where and how people live, how neighbourhoods are regenerated, how infrastructure is planned, how housing is delivered, and how communities participate in shaping their cities.

The 2nd World Cities Day Connect 2026 will provide a timely platform to bring these dimensions together under a common agenda: “Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All.”

By bringing together decision-makers, urban practitioners, innovators, investors, communities and international stakeholders, the Connect aims to strengthen cooperation and encourage practical pathways towards cities that are sustainable, inclusive, resilient and people-centred.

Ideas | Partnerships | Action for Better Cities
2nd World Cities Day Connect 2026
31 October 2026 | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India