Reall at World Urban Forum 10 in Abu Dhabi, UAE

By Ian Shapiro, Chief Executive of Reall

This week myself and experts from Reall are attending the world’s leading conference on urbanisation, the World Urban Forum (WUF10), in Abu Dhabi.

It’s an exciting opportunity for key thought leaders such as The Swedish International Development Agency, UN-Habitat, The World Bank, GIZ the German Development Agency and the UK Government to convene, learn and debate our collective urban future.

WUF 10 is the first major event that kicks off the UN Decade of Action. With only ten years left to achieve the SDGs we need to accelerate solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. Today, there are 1.2 billion people without a decent place to call home and unless something changes, by 2030 that figure will stand at over three billion – the vast majority in Africa and Asia.

An opportunity that needs unlocking

Rapid urbanisation is one of humanity’s greatest challenges. Currently, in Africa the housing gap is at least 50 million and in South Asia it’s at least 70 million. However, people without access to decent housing are not a problem that needs solving, they are an opportunity that needs unlocking.

Urbanisation presents an uncrowded investment opportunity in an untapped $17 trillion market. For every $1 invested in affordable housing can stimulate at least $2.50 of economic output. Investment in housing has a strong multiplier effect creating five jobs per house while stimulating macroeconomic growth, financial sector deepening and increased tax revenues.

Reall is pioneering the $10k home

Reall is pioneering the $10k home in Africa and Asia, empowering families living on low incomes to gain access to quality homes at an affordable price. Reall harnesses this evidence to crowd in governments, investors and local partners and unblock barriers to transform housing markets for the bottom of the income pyramid across emerging markets.

With only a decade left to realise the SDGs we must fast track the creativity, knowhow, technology and financial resources that bring about innovative solutions. Affordable housing is a scalable and commercially viable solution that impacts 16 of the 17 global goals and advances social, economic and environmental sustainability for people, for profit and for the planet.

Come and meet us at WUF 10

Visit us at Stand H9-30 in the Private Sector area, next to the Urban Library

Events:
Sida presents: The unique, high-impact and investable proposition of affordable housing in urban Africa and Asia. Tues 11 Feb, Hall 2, Room 1, 2pm – 4pm

Sustainable and Inclusive Housing Finance: Multilateral, Donor and Practitioner Perspectives on Affordable Housing and Slum Upgrading – Wed 12 Feb, Hall 3, Room 14, 4:30pm – 6:30pm

Follow us on Twitter @Reall_Int for updates