MiTek’s Post

𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗡𝗬 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗡𝗬, 𝗮 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 in tree canopy cover, surface temperatures, and poverty rates, is undergoing a transformative change towards urban equity. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 like residential trees in certain neighborhoods, impacting the health and well-being of residents. However, the city is now taking proactive steps to address these inequities through community-centered development projects on city-owned vacant lots. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 in Rochester is a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and equitable urban environment. This initiative includes webinars, open meetings, and resident engagement programs to ensure that all voices are heard in the decision-making process. Read more: Andersen, Kayla, "112-Shade Speaks Louder Than Words - An Analysis of and Solution to Tree Canopy Inequity in Rochester, NY" (2024).  #UrbanEquity #SustainableCities #CommunityEngagement

Changemakers seeking to solve persistent problems in our society routinely rely on the Urban Institute as a trusted source, convener, advisor, innovator–and partner for change. Our 2023 Impact Report showcases how Urban’s evidence and solutions made a difference across the country–from helping more families put food on their table, to keeping communities safe from train derailments, to helping ensure students of color have access to college in a post–affirmative action world. And more. Learn how Urban contributed to improving people’s well-being and building a more just, equitable society in 2023. Read our 2023 Impact Report. https://lnkd.in/dUfb9GcR

Creating inclusive and equitable municipal spaces is not just a matter of policy reform; it's about fundamentally rethinking how we engage with our communities and the land on which we live and work. Here's why decolonizing municipal spaces is not only necessary but beneficial for all: 1. Promotes Inclusivity and Diversity: By acknowledging the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, municipalities can create spaces that truly reflect and celebrate the diversity of their communities. This includes recognizing and incorporating Indigenous cultures, languages, and practices into the public sphere, which enriches the social fabric for everyone. 2. Fosters True Reconciliation: Decolonization is a critical step towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. It involves recognizing past injustices, addressing current inequalities, and working collaboratively to heal and build a shared future. This process strengthens community bonds and fosters a sense of belonging and mutual respect. 3. Enhances Community Engagement: Decolonizing municipal spaces invites broader community participation by creating more welcoming and accessible environments. When people see their histories and cultures represented, they are more likely to engage in civic activities, leading to more vibrant and dynamic communities. 4. Improves Social Equity: Addressing the legacies of colonization can help to dismantle systemic barriers to equality and justice. This includes reevaluating land use practices, resource allocation, and governance structures to ensure they serve the needs of all community members, particularly those who have been marginalized. 5. Encourages Sustainable Practices: Indigenous knowledge systems offer invaluable insights into sustainable living and environmental stewardship. By integrating these perspectives into municipal planning and decision-making, cities and towns can adopt more sustainable and resilient practices that benefit everyone. 6. Boosts Economic Opportunities: Decolonizing municipal spaces can open up new economic opportunities, particularly in the areas of cultural tourism, local arts, and sustainable development projects. These initiatives can create jobs, stimulate local economies, and promote a more inclusive and equitable economic growth. By advocating for policies that support decolonization, engaging in meaningful dialogue with Indigenous communities, and promoting inclusive practices in our work, we can contribute to the creation of municipal spaces that truly reflect and respect the diversity and richness of our communities. Let's commit to this journey together, recognizing the challenges ahead but also the immense opportunities for growth, understanding, and unity. The benefits of decolonizing municipal spaces extend far beyond the immediate impacts; they pave the way for a future that honors all voices, histories, and contributions.

appreciating 👣 🐾 left to follow by #Ecological #Design #Lab & 8 80 Cities - insightful report + THE #SCANDINAVIAN #EFFECT - A #diagnostic #toolkit for #equitable, #green and #healthy #neighbourhoods and #cities #Cities are #increasingly #grappling with major #challenges and #threats, like #aging #populations, #climatechange and #poor #environmental #health. In the #face of these issues, our #client, 8 80 Cities, aims to #empower #communities to #create #healthy, #green, and #equitable #neighbourhoods that #prioritize #active #transportation and #access to #vibrant #public #spaces through #collaborative #planning. 8 80 Cities, a non-profit #organization concerned with creating #agefriendly #cities. Their #guiding #philosophy is that #citybuilding #decisions that are #good for #8 year olds and #80 year olds will be great #forall #people. The studio group was tasked with creating a #diagnostictoolkit that #enables #local #city #building groups to #evaluate how #healthy, green and #equitable their #neighbourhood is, using an 8 80 #lens. The #objective is to develop a toolkit that will enable #local #actors to #collaboratively #identify and #diagnose local #barriers to #meaningful #civicengagement, well-#loved #public #realm and #parks, and #safe and #accessible #activetransportation; and, through this #process, #buildcommunity #capacity for #transformational #change. The #metrics contained within the toolkit were #inspired by #field #research in #Scandinavia, specifically within three #areas of focus: #civic #engagement, #publicrealm and parks, and active transportation. In summer 2018, 8 80 Cities will launched the first iteration of the diagnostic toolkit. This toolkit guides their work in communities across #NorthAmerica. TEAM MEMBERS Michelle Rowland, Arleigh Hack, Bria Aird, Jennifer Le, Olivia Magalhaes, James Schofield #intergenerational #intercultural #intersectoral #onehealth #placebased #bioregional #resilientcommunties #sdgs #AQ #adaptable #affordable #mobility #inclusive #biodiverse #regenerative #education #spaceplanning #landuse #NbD #caring #placemaking #culturalheritage #naturalheritage https://lnkd.in/gTK2DP2R

🎤 Facing the Crowd with Purpose 🎤 In this moment, and every other moment right before stepping onto the podium, there's a whirlwind of emotions. The nerves, the anticipation, and the weight of the responsibility ahead. But amidst all that, there's an unwavering drive and a clear purpose. This particular day, as I stood there being mic'd up, I couldn't help but think about the countless children and young people whose futures depend on the discussions and decisions made today. Advocating for urbanism that caters to their needs isn't just a duty—it's a passion. Addressing the audience with solutions to our generational challenges is both humbling and empowering. It's about providing a voice for children and young people, ensuring that our urban environments are designed with them in mind. Together, we can shape cities that are not only sustainable but also inclusive and nurturing for the next generation. 🌱 Shaping Urbanism for Children and Young People ✊🏽 #YouthAndUrbanism #PublicSpeaking #UrbanDevelopment #FutureLeaders #SustainableCities #Advocacy #Empowerment #ForTheNextGeneration

Engaging youth in urban planning and governance is essential for building healthier, more equitable cities. 🌐 At the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Global Investments in Health Webinar, Susanna Hausmann-Muela, our Cities Portfolio Lead, discussed the importance of including young people. 👉 She emphasised that urban areas are becoming increasingly youthful, with 60% of the urban population projected to be under 18 by 2030. Yet, youth often remain excluded from urban planning and governance. 💡 "Youth are often seen as beneficiaries, yet they are invaluable social assets. True collaboration between local governments and youth can unlock innovative solutions and drive sustainable urban development." Involving young people in urban planning and governance will help ensure cities are designed with their needs and experiences in mind, promoting social and political ownership in young people. Discover how Fondation Botnar champions youth involvement to create thriving urban environments. Learn more here fondationbotnar.org

Changemakers seeking to solve persistent problems in our society routinely rely on the @urbaninstitute as a trusted source, convener, advisor, innovator–and partner for change. Our 2023 Impact Report showcases how Urban’s evidence and solutions made a difference across the country–from helping more families put food on their table, to keeping communities safe from train derailments, to helping ensure students of color have access to college in a post–affirmative action world. And more. Learn how Urban contributed to improving people’s well-being and building a more just, equitable society in 2023. Read our 2023 Impact Report. urbn.is/2023ImpactReport

ESLC's Director of Land Use and Policy, Owen Bailey, is participating in a panel on placemaking at the National Center for Smart Growth's 2024 Smart Growth Summit on May 2nd! According to NCSG, "Maryland is projected to grow by 1 million people between 2020 and 2050 – along with new jobs, schools, and businesses, bringing changes to our built environment and to our farms, forests and rural landscapes. In addition, climate change continues to modify the vulnerability and aspect of our communities and landscapes." This year's summit will address community needs as we look towards that future, bearing in mind the Moore administration's proposals for affordable housing development, childhood poverty, and economic growth. Registration for the summit is still open here: https://lnkd.in/e4_cxrDn Owen will also lead a Sustainable Growth Workshop on the Eastern Shore on May 14th. Registration is full but you can attend for free virtually by registering here: https://lnkd.in/e2rEwz7C

🎉 Exciting announcement! Our course, 'Solving the Special Needs Housing Crisis,' is officially launched! 🌟 Dive into actionable insights and join us in making a real impact towards accessible housing for all. Enroll now and be a part of the solution! Link in bio. 🔗 #HousingForAll #SpecialNeeds #AffordableHousing #SocialJustice #ChangeMakers 🏠💚

🎉 Exciting announcement! Our course, 'Solving the Special Needs Housing Crisis,' is officially launched! 🌟 Dive into actionable insights and join us in making a real impact towards accessible housing for all. Enroll now and be a part of the solution! Link in bio. 🔗 #HousingForAll #SpecialNeeds #AffordableHousing #SocialJustice #ChangeMakers 🏠💚