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Dialogue 1: Equitable Urban Futures

Equitable urban futures are possible when all can achieve the right to the city, and institutional framework are reformed to provide opportunities and eradicate poverty for all. This requires well-designed socio-economic policies that mandate fair and equitable distribution of resources, while providing additional support to the most vulnerable populations.

Lara Kinneir

Moderator

date June 28, 2022 | 11:00 - 13:00
place
Spodek Arena
language
Polish, Spanish, English, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese + ISL [Polish + English]
theme
Equitable urban futures

Summary

The vision of an equitable urban future is hindered by persisting poverty, discrimination, violence and exclusion. Inequity in rights and opportunities to live a peaceful, safe and dignified life is perpetuating multiple forms of marginalization, suffered by the homeless, immigrants, ethnic minorities, refugees and persons with disabilities.

To be leaders in transformation, cities require appropriate legislative frameworks supported by competent urban planning and management that are well financed. This dialogue will bring together a diverse group of officials and professionals to shed light on new policies and partnerships that are helping to fulfil the right to affordable housing, and adequate social and health services, and which recognize new frontiers in progressing equity.

Objectives

Cities that adopt a rights-based approach to human settlements for citizens, investors, and visitors alike can create inclusive, lively, and prosperous societies.

This Dialogue will bring together a diverse milieu of officials and experts to shed light on new policies and partnerships that can help fulfil the right to affordable housing, high quality services and social protection to all and that recognize the new frontiers in progressing social, technological, political, and environmental equity.

Guiding Questions for discussions

  1. What are the new and transformative approaches that can be taken to address the needs of the most vulnerable groups? How can progressive urban social programmes be scaled up?  
  2. What are models for human-rights based approach to reduce inequalities and promote equitable development in the built environment and urban systems?  
  3. What interventions are necessary for multi-level institutional reforms to be pro-equity in the post-covid recovery?  
  4. What are the new and emerging partnerships for social equity-oriented financing? How can the risks of privatization of public goods with engagement of non-state actors and other types of external donors be minimized and mitigated?  
  5. What policies/procedures can be put in place to ensure that digital and technological innovations are aligned with the universal values?

Concept Note:

Chioma Agwuegbo

TechHerNG | Executive Director

Elcio Batista

Planning Institute of Fortaleza City Hall | Deputy Mayor and President of Planning Institute of Fortaleza City Hall

Marc Workman

World Blind Union | Chief Executive Officer

Lara Kinneir

London Interdisciplinary School | Associate Professor

Catherine Russell

UNICEF | Executive Director

Kjersti Bjørnstad

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development | State Secretary of Local Government and Regional Development, Norway

Jan Olbrycht

Member of the European Parliament, Government of Poland

Renu Khosla

Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence | Director

Marc Workman

World Blind Union | Chief Executive Officer

H.E. Collen Vixen Kelapile

ECOSOC | President

Leilani Farha

The Shift | Director

Hon. Paweł Wdówik

Ministry of Family and Social Policy | Secretary of State

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