Reimaging cities: reimagining urban diversity

The Observatory participated in the event "Reimagining urban diversity", organized by SciencePo and Columbia University in Paris.

On May 4, the Coordinator of the Observatory of Mayors on Living Together, Mr. Esteban Benavides, participated in the webinar "Reimagining urban diversity: the impact of the urban intercultural approach during and after the outrbreak".

Webinaire

The other speakers were: Ms Ivana d'Alessandro, Head of the Intercultural Cities Programme at the Council of Europe, Linda Tinio-Le Douarin, Coordinator of the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities (ICCAR), as well as Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). The event was moderated by Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Lecturer at SciencePo. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic reached cities across the world, diversity has emerged as both a challenge and an opportunity for city administrations. The intercultural approach, aimed at empowering minorities and unleashing their contribution to society, has provided cities with extra tools in responding to the outbreak, as well as in planning the recovery.

This conference addressed the evolution of political and social approaches to urban diversity, exploring their potential in the foreseeable future. This event was part of the serie "Reimagining Cities:Exploring global trends towards a new (urban) normal”:", organized by the Paris School on International Affairs (PSIA - SciencePo Paris) and Columbia University in Paris (Columbia Global Centers).

Hardly hit by what was revealed to be primarily an urban pandemic, cities across the world have been harnessing the potential of their proximity with residents, the private sector, and civil society to deploy rapid, innovative, and cost-effective solutions. Most of this innovation is likely to perdure as part of a broader movement led by numerous mayors committed to boldly re-direct urban development towards environmental sustainability, social equality, and resilience. 

This conference series aims at engaging distinguished mayors, scholars, practitioners, and students in a global discussion on the future of urban life in a post-pandemic world.

Watch the webinar