A Global Public Space Network - Mainstreaming the role of public space through partnerships

In 2011, Member States mandated UN-Habitat - through the Governing Council Resolution 23/4 - to establish an approach that (1) supports the role of public space in addressing the challenges of a rapidly urbanising world, (2) to coordinate global multi-stakeholder, multi-level and multi-sectoral partners and experts on public space, and (3) to provide direct assistance to cities in their public space initiatives.
As a direct result, the Global Public Space Programme (GPSP) was launched in 2012 to support local governments in the development of accessible, safe, inclusive, and sustainable public spaces. Over the past years, GPSP has worked in 55 countries, 102 cities, supporting over 2.8 million people in accessing quality public spaces and developing 11 key strategic normative products to promote local capacities on public space development. The Programme has also supported local governments in monitoring their progress toward the SDG 11.7.
The Global Public Space Network gathers over 800 members from governments, private entities, academia and civil society, that set their mandate on mainstreaming and building local capacities on the role of public spaces in sustainable urban development. GPSP and its Network of partners worked together to enhance community inclusion and cohesion, economic empowerment, climate change adaptation and resilience, political engagement, health and well-being of urban dwellers, through public spaces. In particular, strong regional networks are evolving, with active public space communities in Latin America, Africa, Europe, North America and Asia.
For example, Sistema Urbano, through its Lima Cómo Vamos and Ocupa Tu Calle strategies, with the support of UN Habitat and Avina Foundation, is since 2019 promoting the Pact for Public Spaces as a training and technical assistance program for local governments focused on improving public spaces and urban quality of life in Peru. Currently, 45 municipalities nationwide have subscribed to and receive training in four thematic areas: Inclusion and culture, environment and public health, sustainable mobility, and neighborhood infrastructure. Additionally, spaces for coordination with other actors, visibility of good practices, and funding opportunities for public space actions are organized. Building on this experience, the Pact for Public Spaces is being scaled to the entire Latin America region.. This initiative is conceived as a regional strategy designed to strengthen the network of public spaces, influencing public policy.

This joint event, is an opportunity to further discover how a variety of regional communities are contributing to a global network for public space. The event is aligned with the principles of "it all starts locally", "it all starts now", and "it all starts together", as its aim is to showcase local initiatives driving progress towards more sustainable cities. Emphasis is placed on the impact of collaboration to strengthen municipal administrations.