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.

Master Class 2 — The Power of Vibrant Public Spaces

Partnering Community and Government,

Services and Climate Resilient Infrastructure,

Social Connection and A Sense of Well Being

52 views

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.

1:42

Constructing, Designing, and Managing Public Spaces with the Community

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).

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).

6:02

Mega-Events: : City Marketing at the Expense of the Community

Mega-Events: City Marketing at the Expense of the Community

Summary

Cities justify the expense of hosting mega events by claiming that international visibility will yield economic benefit for the city. But most mega events cause more long-term economic harm than good, unless there is a specific plan for how the event investment will solve a specific problem or improve equity in the city.

Discussion questions

Are there places or projects in your city where development has made existing problems worse, or created new problems? In what ways and why?

Are there places or projects in your city where development has solved challenges or improved quality of life for a variety of residents?

Do you have an idea for a project that could solve multiple problems in your city? What are some specifics?

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.

1:24

The Power of Public Spaces and the Doers who Create Them

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).

2:08

You Can’t Just Plan for the Rich

Discussion questions

What does it mean to make development more inclusive?

In this interview, what does the term “social security” mean and why is it important?

Why would it be particularly difficult for poor people to be separated from long time neighbors and community?

Can you think of a project in your city, where poor residents were displaced but given new housing? In what ways was it successful or not?

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.

1:50

Going to Scale 2 : One Project to Change A City

Summary

When community members, local government, practitioners and academics collaborate on one urban development project, they build relationships and a knowledge base that can inform and energize numerous other projects throughout the city. In this way, one project can change the city.

Discussion questions

In what ways does your local government function in the same way as national government? In what ways does it not? What are the pros and cons of each?

What could it mean for local government to "lead city development working with the people?"

Why invite representatives from many neighborhoods, and local academics, to perform a citywide survey of possible locations for a project, when you only have money for one project?

What is the downside of having more people involved in planning one project, and what could be the upside long term? Do you agree that it may increase the chances that one project is the beginning of a larger set of projects and not a stand alone, one-off?

Bio

4:15

Going to Scale 1: The Power of Community Networks

Summary

Cities in Thailand have fostered collaboration between community members, civil society, government, and academia for greater success in sustainable, equitable development. Community groups mentor and support one another, building a powerful network of learning and empowerment between communities that improves the city overall.

Discussion questions

Are there places in your city /your region/ your work where you use Big Sister communities to guide Little Sister communities about particular issues or practices?

Is there a particular subject area in your city/ your work where you think it would be useful for communities to advise one another?

What are existing barriers to connecting communities, civil society, government and academia? How could those barriers be addressed?

Bio

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Riverbed: Backbone of the City