The complexity of the urbanized world demands a continuous search to create the conditions for a better future for all. Every day, it is clear that the well-being of citizens, including the most vulnerable social groups, is directly influenced by its immediate surroundings. Thus, public spaces have a direct impact on the lives of people, by which the citizen right to quality public spaces is an essential part of the right to the city.
The clear commitment of local governments in the search for equitable cities has put public space as a central theme in public policy, given that it is a powerful tool for urban transformation and at the same time, to influence the quality of life of inhabitants. Supporting the search for a better urban future for everyone, the Urban Strategic Planning Committee led a first event entitled "Re-Imagining Public Spaces" which took place in Durban in June.
The commitment of leading members of the Committee, as well as the signing of the Charter for Walking, have been fundamental to the development of these initiatives in cooperation with UN-Habitat, UCLG-Africa, CoGTA and other institutions.
Through the leadership of the city of Porto Alegre, you are invited to participate in a second event, which will take place between the 27th and 29th of October. Porto Alegre invites a group of politicians, technicians, citizens and experts to reflect on their experience and to inspire new strategic lines and systems of public spaces.
You can consult the publication "In search for the promised land of public space, tools for a fair city", in which you will find summarized, the relevant moments of the Durban event as well as conclusions and learnt lessons that will be the basis for the discussions to be held in Porto Alegre.
For more information about the event, please contact [email protected] in Porto Alegre or [email protected] of the UCLG World Secretariat.
Please click on the links below to access the following documents:
- In search form the promised land of public spaces (publication)
- Provisional program for the event (in Spanish)
- Program of the event (in Portuguese)
Source: http://www.uclg.org