Climate Adaptation
Local Wisdom, Global Impact: The Cape Town Water Project
Community-level capacity building and knowledge co-creation are key to resilience and justice. Join Gina Ziervogel as she takes us to explore the Cape Town Water Project.
Conflict and Reconstruction in Cities
Healing the Wounds: How Public Spaces Foster Peace and Rebuild Communities in War-torn Aleppo
During the war, public spaces can be drivers for resilience. Ghada Rifai explores the transformative potential of public spaces in post-conflict cities through the example of Aleppo in Syria.
Inequality in Cities
Women’s Collective Power: Driving Responsible Urban Development
India is rapidly urbanising. However, the disparities that affect the poor and marginalised are glaring. Bijal and Chirayu Brahmbhatt discuss aspects of addressing these inequalities through women-led approaches towards a better future for all.
Just Transition
A Green Urban Oasis for Los Cabos, Mexico
A neglected park turns into a green oasis. Over 200 residents are joining in to stop soil erosion, absorb rainwater, and turn their park into a place for encounter and environmental education.
Cities built4climate
A School with a Soul: Eco-Friendly and Community-Driven Building in Cape Town
Sustainable building approaches are not only more environmentally friendly than conventional building methods – but they may also teach people how to avoid waste. Peter McIntosh, the founder of the Natural Building Collective, highlights the advantages through the example of Ulwazi Educare in Cape Town.
Young Voices
The (Urban) Relevance of Community-Making
The approach of the Fundación Hogares understands the relevance of strengthening social cohesion in neighbourhoods to respond to city-scale challenges. José Roberto shares some valuable insights into how community organisations are shaping their surroundings in infrastructure as well as in inclusiveness.
LIVEABLE CITIES
“It Is Ok To Not Be Ok” – How A Mental Health Programme Changes A Community
The Friendship Bench is a community-based mental health counselling programme in Zimbabwe. Dr Ruth Verhey reflects on the contributions of such programmes to liveable communities for all.
LIVEABLE CITIES
The New Face of Bogotá’s Bronx
Bogotá's Bronx used to be an area infamous for crime and violence. Gabriel Ortiz van Meerbeke outlines how the arts and the cultural industry are transforming the area into a liveable district.
Global Citizenship Education – A Local Topic?
Teaching and learning global citizenship may be a powerful answer to some of the most pressing challenges of our time. But how can cities approach this in their policies? Michelle Diederichs and Werner Wintersteiner on the potential of ‘local’ Global Citizenship Education.
To Advance Access to Education, Communities Need to Focus on Financial Equity and Literacy
How to improve access to education in small municipalities? Scott Frank and Ronald Kibirige from the InteRoots Initiative present a community-led example from Kasasa, Uganda.
Localising SDG 11 Through Inspirational Advocacy
Can design drive positive change? This was the question at the core of London’s Design Biennale 2021. Laura Puttkamer was there and gives you the latest on the future of the urban designs that are here to change the world.
Urban Development in Mumbai and its Effect on Coastal Communities
Coastal regions have always had significant historical and socio-political value, making them the target of ambitious urban development plans. Amit Devale zooms in on the situation of Mumbai’s indigenous coastal tribes and their relationship with the city – and how local government plans affect their lives.
More Inclusive Cities for a Better Urban Future: Participatory Planning in Indonesia
Participatory budgeting in Indonesia is not new, but policy makers still rarely consult with citizens on large-scale urban projects – even though it leads to better and more sustainable results. John Taylor and Ahmad Rifai make a strong case for embracing people-based budgets.
City-Wide Mapping for Disaster Management
Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. But can maps help in coping with natural disasters? Harry Mahardhika Machmud from Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team Indonesia shows why spatial data is key for disaster management, and how it can be tailored to the needs of local communities.
Addressing Climate Change Vulnerability of Coastal Cities Through Mangrove Forests
Around the world, coastal cities are threatened by storms, rising sea levels, and other climate change related hazards. With conventional approaches often both costly and ineffective, nature-based solutions are offering valuable alternatives. One example are the community-based methods developed by the NGO Mangrove Action Project.