Three Generations to Rise Out of Poverty

Discussion questions

What vulnerabilities can pull people back into poverty where you live?
What has your city done to help lift people out of poverty or what do you think could be done?

Bijal Brahmbhatt has spent three decades conceptualizing, planning, managing, and providing support for slum upgrading programs across India, with a focus on empowering women to advocate for themselves with local government in order to claim public goods and services central to their well-being. She works to improve living conditions, foster climate resilience and overall economic security, through socio-technical approaches. She is an expert in land tenure, housing finance, renewable energy issues, community development and is a trained engineer.

Home Page,

Section 1 - Essential Insights

Making Money and Paying for Things,

Services and Climate Resilient Infrastructure,

Women and Cultural Norms

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Ryan Smolar is a leader in all things related to local food (e.g., food councils, markets, restaurants, crop swaps, community gardens), placemaking and community development with a focus on expanding access to healthy and affordable food, local economic development, eco-consciousness and cultural vivacity in diverse communities.

2:25

Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones and the Homemade Food Act (Food Policy Councils)

Summary

Educational materials in development. Contact us if you are interested in being a partner (equityproject@ISUH.org).

Discussion questions

Educational materials in development. Contact us if you are interested in being a partner (equityproject@ISUH.org).

Bio

Educational materials in development. Contact us if you are interested in being a partner (equityproject@ISUH.org).

4:54

Riverbed: Backbone of the City

Summary

After the fall of the Franco dictatorship in Spain in 1975, citizens felt freer to express their opinions on many topics. Neighborhood Associations in cities like Valencia flourished as residents advocated for their preferences. City residents wrote op-eds and wrote articles to pressure government to listen to their input. This is the story of how government officials in the city of Valencia responded to citizen demands about one issue, and how it changed the city for everyone.

Discussion questions

In your view, who are the most significant “actors” in this story?

Does the story remind you of a current or past situation in your city?

How do public spaces in your city impact health, quality of life, and/or equity?

Have you had an experience where having a limited budget, or the solution unfolding over time has provided unexpected benefits?

Bio

Ramon Marrades is an Urban Economist, Director of Placemaking Europe and Founder of Vigla. He has spent his career creating sustainable, equitable, and lively public spaces that prioritize the needs of people and community. He is passionate about port cities, culture, and innovation and has worked as strategic advisor to a number of cities and large-scale development projects. Marrades is based in Valencia, Spain.

3:50

Bang Bua Canal Upgrading – Bangkok, Thailand

Bang Bua Canal Upgrading, Bangkok, Thailand

Summary

Educational materials in development. Contact us if you are interested in being a partner (equityproject@ISUH.org).

Discussion questions

What stands out to you about this story?

Does the situation described remind you of something in your city or your work?

Can you relate to the challenges described? In what ways?

In what ways is the approach described similar or different from approaches you / your org/ your city have taken?

Write down three new approaches you could try.

Bio

Somsook Boonyabancha, is Chairperson, Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR), a regional network of grassroots community organizations, NGO’s and professionals actively involved with urban poor development processes in Asian cities; former Director of the Community Organization Development Institute (CODI); Chairperson, of the Baan Mankong Program Committee.

Boonyabancha has been working and facilitating sustainable, equitable collective housing development and slum upgrading in Thailand and other Asian countries for 30 years – specializing in community-led initiatives. As director of CODI, she fostered a “city-wide” approach to community upgrading that has been replicated in cities across Thailand. She is based in Bangkok, Thailand.