In a world grappling with a severe housing crisis, where billions lack appropriate shelter, UN-Habitat's 2026 Scroll of Honour Awards shine a light on pioneering efforts. This year, five remarkable initiatives and individuals from diverse corners of the globe have been recognized for their significant contributions to sustainable urban development and the universal right to adequate housing. These awards not only celebrate impactful projects but also underscore the urgent need for innovative and inclusive housing solutions to address the growing global challenge of informal settlements and inadequate living conditions.
UN-Habitat's 2026 Scroll of Honour: Global Innovators in Housing and Urban Development
On October 9, 2026, UN-Habitat announced the recipients of its prestigious Scroll of Honour Award, celebrating five distinct approaches to improving housing and fostering sustainable urban environments across Brazil, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom. These esteemed awards, established in 1989, acknowledge outstanding contributions to the principles of adequate housing, sustainable urbanization, and enhanced urban living, aligning with the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The global housing landscape faces immense pressures, with the World Cities Report 2026 indicating that 3.4 billion people lack adequate housing, and the SDG 11 Global Report 2026 revealing over 1.1 billion individuals residing in informal settlements and slums. The 2026 World Habitat Day theme, "Adequate Housing for All," further emphasized housing's foundational role in creating inclusive, sustainable, and resilient cities.
Among the laureates is Housing NOW, a Myanmar-based organization that employs bamboo construction to create affordable homes and community infrastructure. Their work primarily benefits populations affected by conflict, displacement, and natural disasters, utilizing local materials, traditional knowledge, and prefabrication techniques to build resilient structures. Notably, Housing NOW actively engages local community members in construction and provides comprehensive training to local builders.
In Maricá, Brazil, the Aldeia do Espraiado – Tekoa Ara Hovy received recognition for establishing Brazil's first Indigenous village through municipal efforts. This initiative provides a secure and permanent settlement for a Guarani Mbyá community, who previously faced land tenure insecurity. The village, developed through collaborative community participation and municipal investment, features traditional housing, a bilingual school, a health facility, a cultural center, and sustainable infrastructure, including solar lighting.
The Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency in Lahore, Pakistan, was honored for its "Apni Chhat Apna Ghar" program. Launched in 2024, this program addresses the housing needs of low-income families who own land but lack the financial means to build homes. By offering interest-free financing and leveraging digital systems for applications and implementation, the agency is facilitating the construction of 100,000 affordable houses and apartments, significantly expanding access to safe and affordable housing.
From Bizerte, Tunisia, Abdelmalek Ghannem, a sustainable construction expert and founder of Société Industrielle de Blocs (SOIB), was celebrated for his innovative work with building systems that utilize local materials and industrial waste. Since 2009, SOIB has produced compressed stabilized earth blocks and interlocking construction systems incorporating quarry and mining residues. These blocks not only reduce cement and mortar usage but also enhance thermal performance in hot climates. Ghannem's methods have been implemented in over 100 projects across Tunisia, complemented by training programs for architects, engineers, and builders.
Finally, Mayor Sadiq Khan of London, United Kingdom, was recognized for his unwavering commitment to affordable and sustainable housing, alongside inclusive and climate-resilient urban development during his mayoral tenure. His policies have championed the construction of new council homes and affordable residences, supported by City Hall funding. A key initiative, the Key Worker Living Rent program, launched in January 2026, aims to deliver at least 6,000 rent-controlled homes by 2030, with rents tied to the incomes of essential workers such as nurses, teachers, and bus drivers.
These awards are announced amidst a global surge in initiatives targeting housing affordability and accessibility, including the "Right to Housing! Now and Forever" European Citizens' Initiative and the OBEL Award's recognition of the Balearic Social Housing Model. In the United States, the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act, enacted in July, represents significant legislative reform aimed at expanding affordable housing options.
The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Awards serve as a crucial reminder that addressing the global housing crisis requires multifaceted approaches, community engagement, technological innovation, and strong political will. The exemplary work of these five recipients offers valuable blueprints for creating more equitable, sustainable, and resilient cities for all.
