Presenter of 2 Presentations
BUILDING BACK BETTER CITIES - TIME TO RESET OUR URBAN SYSTEMS
Hall B
Abstract
Abstract Body
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a huge disruption of in the world of transport, including urban mobility. While there have been countless negative consequences associated with the pandemic, the crisis has also led a number of cities to experiment with urban design and mobility, leading to some remarkable changes. Many urban thinkers and planners have already declared: it would be much better to not simply return to business as usual once the pandemic is over.
This talk takes stock of many of the incredible transformations that have taken place just since last year. Examples include the pop-up bicycle lanes appearing in cities from Berlin to Budapest. Cities like Bogota and Kampala have outright banned private motorized traffic in some zones. Cities like Rotterdam, Paris and Brussels all made waves by introducing progressive new policies, such as pedestrianizing iconic streets and various methods of traffic calming. Many lessor knows cities have worked hard on their future vision, including Tirana, Albania.
This talk first looks at the urban mobility paradigm shift underway in cities around the world, latching on to the unique moment in history where we have been given the opportunity to build better, safer and walkable cities that empower local communities.
The second part of the talk focuses on several campaigns that have been launched in 2020 and 2021. This includes campaigns to radically reduce automobile traffic in Berlin and Barcelona. It also includes a network of linked campaigns: “Build Back Better Cities” which has been launched by the Carfree Cities Alliance (of which the presenter is a member and coordinator) in collaboration with its international allies. This collection of campaigns is geographically diverse, encompassing cities in South America, Africa, and Asia.
The focal point of the presentation and discussion in the talk will be: How can we seize this incredible opportunity in supporting and being a part of the transition to a radically more sustainable approach in urban planning and mobility?
ORGANIZATIONS, STRATEGIES AND NARRATIVES. SEEKING MODAL SHIFT IN URBAN MOBILITY, FROM PRAGUE TO NEW YORK
Hall D
Abstract
Abstract Body
This is presentation is all about people power and the way that strategies are employed by persons and organizations, with the aim to improve their urban environments – specifically to upgrade the quality and safety of walking and cycling and curb dangerous automobile traffic.
This presentation is based on my Masters thesis at IHS/Erasmus University in Rotterdam, successfully accepted in 2020. The results of the involved research have not been presented in front of a live audience before. This presentation takes the essential points and refers to the research, including both the case studies undertaken by the author as well as a survey performed. The presentation will connect the findings to the wider efforts taking place around the world in other situations.
Content of the presentation: In an effort to better understand how specific strategies are used and when and for what reasons organizations employ a preferred set of strategies, two specific case studies have been undertaken, one in Prague, Czech Republic and the other one in New York City, USA. Both cases involve efforts to transform a road or a highway according to a design that incorporates space for pedestrians and cyclists, reduces the quantity of cars, reduces the speed of cars, or installs safety improvements.
In order to fulfill these objectives, the studied groups perform a range of activities, which can be termed lobbying, co-production and framing. These contributions – whether explicit strategies or forms of direct engagement – filter into a political and social context, generating a process of development, of continuous adaptation, of give and take, acceptance and rejection.
Meanwhile, a certain narrative, or set of narratives emerges, which accompanies the development process. The narratives - akin to a public dialogue or town hall meeting - are influenced in part by the communication strategies and framing process of the protagonists. Values and beliefs come to the fore and in some cases this results in a clash of viewpoints or opposing fundamental conceptions of what a city should look like.