Photo:©United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), 2011

An increasing number of people are driven from their homes by crises such as conflict, political instability, climate change, and economic hardship. A record 122 million people are forcibly displaced and - in an increasingly urbanizing world - displacement is becoming an urban phenomenon. Over 60% of internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrants are seeking refuge in cities, putting pressure on local systems. This is accelerating urban growth, while changing territories significantly; making urban crisis response and urban displacement a timely focus for the 2025 World Habitat Day.

2025 Theme: Urban crisis response

World Habitat Day is marked on the first Monday of October each year and is recognized by the United Nations to reflect on the state of towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.

On 6 October 2025, the Global Observance of World Habitat Day will be linked to urban crisis response. The theme focuses on addressing multiple crises affecting urban areas - including climate and conflicts - that are contributing to inequality, and promotes existing tools and approaches to effective crisis response.

The day will highlight sustainable, scalable, and transformative solutions to urban displacement that help stabilize populations, while promoting prosperity and fostering social cohesion for all. It will put the spotlight on the importance of urban and territorial planning, inclusive urban governance, and the role of local governments in sustainable solutions for displacement.

UN Habitat's events

World Habitat Day 2025 event

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Event Date: 6 October 2025

Concept note, programme, information for participants, among other details, are available on the UN Habitat site

Background

In 1985, the United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of our habitats and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. The Day is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns; its our collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.

History

World Habitat Day was first celebrated in 1986 with the theme "Shelter is My Right". Nairobi was the host city for the observance that year. Other previous themes have included: "Shelter for the Homeless" (1987, New York); "Shelter and Urbanization" (1990, London); "Future Cities" (1997, Bonn); "Safer Cities" (1998, Dubai); "Women in Urban Governance" (2000, Jamaica); "Cities without Slums" (2001, Fukuoka), "Water and Sanitation for Cities" (2003, Rio de Janeiro), "Planning our Urban Future" (2009, Washington, D.C.), "Better City, Better Life" (2010, Shanghai, China) and Cities and Climate Change (2011, Aguascalientes, Mexico).

Scroll of Honour award

The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award was launched by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in 1989. It is currently the most prestigious human settlements award in the world.

The Scroll of Honour Award aims to acknowledge initiatives which have made outstanding contributions in various fields such as shelter provision (providing adequate, affordable, and accessible housing), highlighting the plight of the homeless, leadership in post conflict reconstruction, and developing and improving the human settlements and the quality of urban life.

The Scroll of Honour Award recognizes both individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to urban development.

A city is more than bricks and mortar. It is the promise of home."
António Guterres
— Full message

Resources

Websites

Documents

URBAN OCTOBER REPORT

cover of the report showing a photo of 2 palms raised high with words our future in our hands written on each

UN Habitat's Urban October main reports:

2024 report [pdf] Previous reports
text on blue background saying "31 Days of promoting a better urban future"

Urban October is an opportunity for everyone to be part of the conversation about the challenges and opportunities created by the fast rate of change in our cities and towns. Each October, everyone interested in sustainable urbanization - from national and local governments, to universities, NGOs, and communities - is encouraged to hold or participate in activities, events, and discussions. The month begins with World Habitat Day on the very first Monday, and ends with World Cities Day on the 31st. Activities take place on those dates or at any time during the month.

The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour award is one of the highlights of the World Habitat Day global observance and is presented to the selected winners during the observance.

arial view of an urban city with a bridge

Urban areas, especially cities, are now home to slightly more than half of the world’s seven billion people. Current urbanization trends indicate that an additional three billion people will be living in urban areas by 2050. The Global Urban Observatory (GUO) unit is a specialized statistical unit in charge of global monitoring of the Habitat agenda and other agenda with an urban linkage, and carries out normative work such as developing the City Prosperity Initiative (CPI) and computing the CPI for selected cities.

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.