Mar 19, 2018
As an architect I look at how we can develop spaces – spaces within buildings, between buildings, between people – that foster greater engagement and connection. I believe in architecture that adds value and benefits society ‘beyond buildings’, focusing on the people that inhabit spaces, the local environment and public arenas. Whether large- or small-scale,…
Mar 19, 2018
Today, more than half of the world’s population live in cities. By 2050, this proportion is expected to grow to two-thirds. People live in cities to be close to employment and educational opportunities and services, and cities can be wonderful places for social interaction and access to cultural activities. When cities are built using good…
Mar 19, 2018
When we think “smart”, our mind instantly connects it to “tech”. When we think future, our thoughts immediately ping artificial intelligence. When we discuss “innovation”, we imagine digital products. There is no doubt about technology’s clout in transforming our today and shaping our tomorrow. Cities are heavily investing in massive networks and data collection machines…
Mar 19, 2018
Urban wellbeing is a term that refers to people’s sense of wellness and happiness in the city. It is, of course, very difficult to measure and it is not a static concept. People also experience the city in diverse ways which affects their perception of wellbeing. So what does wellbeing mean to a woman or…
Mar 19, 2018
Good health provides a solid basis for our physical, mental and social wellbeing. Fundamentally, good health gives us the freedom to live the lives we want, while illness and poor health limit our possibilities. This makes health an important resource for the individual Copenhagener and for Copenhagen as a whole if we are to realize…
Mar 06, 2018
Cities have been the birthplace of societal progress throughout history. But their capacity to bring about change has been particularly striking in most recent years. From pro-democracy protests such as the Arab Spring to activist movements such as Black Lives Matter, cities have become a vital place for citizens to mobilize, confront power and catalyze…
Mar 05, 2018
Global gender equality has stalled in 2017, after ten years of steady progress according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2017. Switzerland’s rank in the international gender gap index has dropped to 21, compared to position 11 in 2016. Our country remains a black sheep of equality, particularly in the areas of…
Mar 05, 2018
The integration of gender policies is needed to see equality in opportunities, resources, ownership and in the decision-making process. However, integration of gender policies is mostly needed to see inclusive cities and communities emerge. Gender sensitive policies do not only benefit women: they create transformational potential across the board where perceptions, practices and values are…
Mar 05, 2018
At the Madrid City Council, we have a firm commitment to promoting gender equality and fighting the continued discrimination which women face daily. Our society needs a breakthrough and profound transformation in this regard. The structural inequality between women and men takes many forms such as violence against women on the most brutal front, the…
Mar 05, 2018
Chiara Corazza is the Managing Director of the Women’s Forum, a leading platform dedicated to highlighting women’s voices and perspectives on global issues. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, NewCities Executive Director Sébastien Turbot sat down with Ms Corazza to discuss how cities can take the lead in promoting gender progress. Sébastien Turbot: Chiara,…
Mar 05, 2018
As Mayor of Christchurch I am very pleased that the NewCities Foundation has decided to #PressforProgress to honour International Women’s Day 2018. This is a special year for our country, New Zealand, which marks 125 years since we became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote. And it is…
Mar 05, 2018
The city is a melting pot of human relations and plays a considerable role in social relations between those who live in it. This is why the gender agenda cannot be far removed from the urban agenda. More often than not, the city replicates existing patterns of social dominations. Only a holistic political plan –…
