Katowice the capital of all cities in the world? Yes, thanks to the WUF11 World Urban Forum. At the end of June (26-30 June), Katowice will host several thousand guests from all over the world – local government officials, scientists, experts, urban activists… The slogan of the event is: “Transforming our cities for a better urban future”.
The World Urban Forum is the world’s largest event dedicated to urban issues. Its previous sessions were hosted in Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro or Abu Dhabi. Now the time has come for our city of Katowice. The organisers of the WUF11 are the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, UN-Habitat and the City of Katowice. Registration for the event is free of charge. Go to: www.gov.pl/wuf11 and fill in the form.
About cities, with cities, for cities…
For five days, the word “cities” will be used in all cases, because the discussion will revolve around how to build the cities of the future. Discussions will be held in six main thematic areas, known as dialogues. Each of them concerns a different aspect of city functioning, i.e. innovation, building resilience of cities, green cities of the future or managing urban finances. There will be special sessions, workshops, “round tables”!
An additional dialogue, the seventh, will deal with responding to crises and building the resilience of cities. It appeared on the WUF11 agenda in the wake of the war in Ukraine.
Not a discussion? How about an exhibition?
Specifically the Urban EXPO, which is the highlight of every WUF session. You can visit the pavilions and stands of countries, cities and companies that supply cities with solutions. There is certainly no shortage of attractions, as the list of exhibitors is impressive. Poland is also preparing its own special pavilion. The pavilion will occupy as much as 500 square metres. It has been designed in such a way that its shape refers to the characteristic elements of the Polish architectural landscape.
Have you ever watched an artist at work? There will be an opportunity to do so in the Polish Pavilion! During the WUF11, a special mural will be created live. You will also be able to see (or rather click through) an interactive exhibition and listen to panel discussions and speeches.
And after the WUF we went… out on the town!
That’s not all! The whole city, and more specifically its centre, will throb to the urban rhythms. For those hungry for excitement, we are preparing as many as 11 thematic zones under the common banner of “WUF in the city”. Open-air cinema? Relaxation zone? Silent disco? Urban yoga? Please yourselves! All this and more awaits our guests.
More information here: https://www.gov.pl/web/wuf11/11-stref-wuf-na-miescie
