The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) was recently held in Baku, Azerbaijan. During the Forum, the Research Center for Investment and Financing Policy (IFP) of Tsinghua University and the Cities Investment Facility (CIF) of UN-Habitat jointly organized an Urban Finance Masterclass. More than 70 experts, scholars, and practitioners from different countries and regions participated in discussions on urban housing, project finance, and sustainable development. This event is a major follow-up initiative stemming from the Letter of Intent signed between Tsinghua University and UN-Habitat in 2025.
In the opening remarks, Prof. Yang Yongheng, director of the Research Center for Investment and Financing Policy and professor at the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, noted that cities worldwide are facing growing challenges, including housing shortages and widening infrastructure financing gaps. He emphasized the need to recognize the public value of housing, explore innovative urban infrastructure financing models such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and foster collaborative governance among governments, markets, and communities.
During the thematic presentations, Erastus Njuki, programme manager for CIF, introduced CIF’s framework for supporting cities in project preparation and financing design. Ping Yean Cheah, senior partnerships officer at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, shared insights on integrated financing approaches for housing and infrastructure, the mobilization of long-term capital, and pathways toward inclusive urban development. Xie Fei, former chief advisor of the China CDM Fund Management Center under the Ministry of Finance, presented China’s practical experience in infrastructure financing and long-term operational management through cases including affordable housing, waste-to-energy projects, and underground wastewater treatment facilities. The presentations were followed by expert commentary from Wang Yingying, assistant researcher at the Research Center for Investment and Financing Policy and Assistant Professor at the School of Public Policy and Management.
As part of the interactive session, graduate students Jin Shiyao, Li Mengshu, Liu Yuqiu, and Deng Xinyue from the School of Architecture, School of Public Policy and Management, and School of Finance worked alongside international participants in project design and pitching exercises. Through these simulation activities, participants discussed financing solutions for housing and infrastructure projects and shared practical experience in project preparation and capital mobilization.
Established by the United Nations in 2001, the World Urban Forum is convened biennially to address issues related to rapid urbanization and its impacts on economic development, climate change, and social inclusion. Through dialogues, roundtables, exhibitions, and other activities, the Forum serves as a leading global platform for advancing sustainable urbanization. This edition of the World Urban Forum was held under the theme: “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities”.
Editor: Li Han
