EDI Mini-Fest  

Session Outline:

In this section, research concerning the impact of urban development and gentrification on gender inclusivity will be explored, considering the area of Mott Haven, a paradigmatic case study set in the South Bronx of New York City.

Historically a disadvantaged area with significant ethnological diversity, the district is currently undergoing various urban transformation processes, which have been carried out without the use of any gender-related data. The research will showcase, through extensive photographic analysis, the role of streets and sidewalks as public spaces in facilitating or hindering women's inclusion and underscore the need for more inclusive urban planning guidelines.

The imperative to incorporate a gender perspective into urban planning and design, with the female perspective as the first step of this process, integrating the perspectives of SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), aligns with 'Leave no one behind,' the central transformative principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), calling for a collective endeavour to rectify systemic inequalities and promote justice."

Shifting from a theoretical and distant UN level to the sensitive and fragile case of the South Bronx, with its practical and relevant implications, students will be exposed to the issues of inequalities and lack of inclusion beyond the buzzwords and flagships and will be able to grasp how in today's society, the social gaps have an immediate impact on the everyday lives of individuals. 

This perspective, methodologically based on both semiotic and semantic observation of human experience within the built environment, will facilitate the students' engagement in bringing SDGs into the realm of teaching and learning and integrating these goals into their everyday lives. This not only renders the SDGs more tangible but also encourages students to identify with and actively promote them within their communities. 

By incorporating SDGs into local educational curricula and activities, students gain a sense of ownership and responsibility for sustainable development, contributing to a grassroots movement that aligns with the broader global agenda. This localised implementation not only makes the SDGs more relatable but also instils a sense of empowerment, urging students to become active contributors to a more sustainable and equitable future.

Session Aims:

The session's presentation aims to explore the impact of urban development and gentrification on gender inclusivity in public spaces, with a focus on the South Bronx of New York City. The research employs photographic analysis to investigate the role of public spaces, such as streets and sidewalks, in promoting or hindering women's inclusion, emphasising the need for more inclusive urban planning guidelines.

Furthermore, the presentation underscores the importance of incorporating the gender perspective into urban planning, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The South Bronx case study will facilitate the transition from urban planning to education, emphasising the relevance of SDGs in a practical, locally relevant context. This case study approach fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among students, encouraging them to actively promote sustainability within their communities. Ultimately, the localised implementation of the SDGs empowers students to become active contributors to a more sustainable and equitable future.