If we really want inclusive and accessible cities, we have to build it into city-wide master plans. Concepts of inclusion are integral to concepts of resilience but not often recognised as such. Victor Santiago Pineda discusses inclusion, universal design and the digital transformation of cities for the “new normal” in his book chapter.
Working together towards a common goal can enhance the overall resilience of the city.
By building inclusion and access into city-wide master plans, cities are taking steps to becoming Smart Nations.
Pineda provides examples from New York, Barcelona, Singapore, Dubai and other global cities.
7 principles for the “new normal”
These 7 principles are discussed in more detail in the book chapter.
1. Reflection—using past experiences to inform future decisions
2. Resourcefulness—recognizing alternative ways to utilize resources
3. Inclusivity—prioritizing broad consultation to create a sense of shared ownership in decision-making
4. Integration—bringing together a range of distinct systems and institutions
5. Robustness—well-conceived, constructed, and managed systems
6. Redundancy—spare capacity purposefully created to accommodate disruption
7. Flexibility—willingness and ability to adopt alternative strategies in response to changing circumstances
Emerging trends – belonging by design
Clear human rights frameworks, standards for accessible and usable digital products, collaboration with civil society organisations, and risk management plans. These elements and others are discussed in the context of universal design principles. “The emerging measures presented in this book build off Universal Design to help urban practitioners build belonging by design.”
Leading cities are not waiting for a transformation to take place – city leaders are taking charge. “There is a global movement building to accelerate an inclusive urban transformation”.
There is an urgent need for cities to prioritize inclusion and belonging in order to create truly sustainable and equitable communities. By adopting a unified and holistic approach, we can build cities that foster a sense of belonging for all residents.
The title of the book chapter by Victor Santiago Pineda is The Era of the New Normal in Inclusion and Belonging in Cities of Tomorrow.
From the abstract
Leading smart cities are transforming their urban planning processes by building inclusion and access into their city-wide master plans. This is resulting in cities that are more accessible, inclusive, and resilient.
A key factor is the adoption of key principles of resilience in their decision-making and planning processes. These include reflection, resourcefulness, inclusivity, integration, robustness, redundancy, and flexibility.
Inclusivity is crucial in building resilience. Cities need to prioritize broad consultation and create a sense of shared ownership in decision-making complemented by the use of human-rights based regulatory frameworks.
Universal design principles can also enhance the effectiveness of radical inclusion efforts. The practice of universal design has expanded to include policy, social participation, and health and wellness.
The ultimate success of these initiatives is also dependent on the ability of cities to effectively adopt and integrate technologies in a way that supports the needs of all citizens.