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Cities play a key role in responding to the great challenges of our time.However increasing poverty and inequality, exacerbated by the recent financial and housing crises, are putting the social cohesion and resilience of European cities to the test. Much research has focused on teasing out the causes of urban social inequality and ecological unsustainability, and on understanding the connections, tensions and contradictions between the two. Research and innovation have also contributed to the development of ways to make cities more just and sustainable. Yet the need to consolidate and effectively communicate this knowledge and experience remains.UrbanA, Urban Arenas for Sustainable and Just Cities, takes up this challenge.
The starting point for UrbanA’s three-year journey is the mapping of existing approaches to tackling unsustainability, inequality and exclusion in cities. This is not only a matter of gathering data and understanding, but also of engaging people and of people feeling heard and acknowledged for their prior and ongoing efforts. The aim is not simply to create a comprehensive database but rather to serve the creative process envisioned for the UrbanA’s Arena events, which bring together European city-makers and city-thinkers.
Further information on UrbanA, a major EU-funded project on urban sustainability and justice, can be found on the project's public website.
Welcome to the UrbanA wiki.
The UrbanA wiki currently operates as a shared workspace for consortium members working on the distillation and co-creation of approaches. The wiki will eventually become a shared resource and knowledge base for the Community of Practice. We welcome all Arena Event fellows and participants to contribute to the wiki by directly creating content or giving suggestions.
The database initially consists of a set of approaches and research methods perceived particularly useful with linking urban sustainability and justice.
Use of this wiki will connect closely with our shared virtual library (access currently limited to consortium partners).