Our 21st century city must shed its prejudices. Exploited migrants - whether in forced labour or sex trafficking - have equal rights and opportunity to everyone else, as long as governments and private citizens provide the support they uniquely need.

In today’s episode, we discuss why education is essential on two fronts.
Of course, it is important for the displaced to learn the language, laws and skills to navigate and make the most of their new homes.
But secondly, their hosts must understand the scale and reality of what they - their neighbours - have been through. Sadiki John’s story is a testament to how this can make a difference.

Next, jobs, jobs, jobs. As Monique Villa points out, employers must provide meaningful, appropriate work that does not just pay the bills, but, at the very least gives new members of society dignity, and may well leverage the skills they bring. This is in line with SDG 8.

Finally, collective support. Victims of human trafficking and forced labour, and refugees will likely have experienced extraordinary trauma. We must work with local authorities and use our agency to support these individuals and families, and make them feel safe and welcome.

Speakers:

• Monique Villa, Journalist, Author, Philanthropist, Former CEO Thomson Reuters Foundation & Founder of TrustLaw
• Sadiki John, Founder, Lazima Nipate Academy

Links:

• Migrateful - cookery classes led by refugee and migrant chefs
• ‘I carried his name on my body for nine years’: the tattooed trafficking survivors reclaiming their past, The Guardian, 16 November 2014
• https://therapistsbeyondborders.org/
• Slaves among Us: The Hidden World of Human Trafficking, Monique Villa (2019)

Cities are melting pots for geopolitical ideology, cultural appropriation and expression of identity and beliefs. As the world continues to globalise, but also polarise, the best parts of this integration are being put to the test and pushing some people to the margins. In this episode we explore how cities can manage geopolitical conflicts, embrace the richness of cultures and ensure that all individuals and communities are represented and have equitable access.

In response to a 2019 report on regenerative city-regions stating that we need a “‘mutually supportive symbiosis between the built, cultural and natural environments,” Katya Letunovsky refers to Henri Lefebvre’s “trialetic of space” and Edward Soja’s “thirdspace”, the intersection of the physical and the perceived or imagined, where policy and decisions happen. Habidatum provides data to urban planners and investors, for example on how vacant buildings may be re-purposed, and powers the Mastercard Inclusive Growth Score™. In Manhattan, evidence showed that once commercial rents reach a tipping point, “elite abandoned areas'' get created. Time-sharing and friendly lease agreements can diversify commercial activities.

Spatial equity is about equal access to jobs, services, nodes of activity and green spaces through transport, last-mile connectivity (the development of a bicycle network in Almaty, Kazakhstan being a case in point) and walkability. Residents’ and census data alone are not sufficient; data can also tell us about the temporary communities congregating at certain times and in particular places.

Mary Pagano advocates for obliging corporations and the ultra-wealthy to take more responsibility and to tackle the hollowing out of the middle class. She points out how women lead and live differently, and urges bringing in more of the 51% of the population into urban planning - life is about more than working and earning money. She acknowledges her plans to build a sustainable new city in Morocco focused on humanity, health, happiness, quality of life, urban agriculture and “non-invasive” technology for all will require education.

Naresh Fernandes looks at how the informalisation of Bombay’s (Mumbai’s) economy, and politics, are thwarting social mobility and solidarity. Historically successful, and needed, civil society and trade unions are finding it increasingly difficult to operate. After the 1992-1993 communal riots, mohalla (neighbourhood) committees convened the worst-hit communities to discuss local problems, and how to resolve them. This regular concerted effort - resulting in direct action - allowed them to ride through moments of heightened tension. Hindi films in the 1950s and 60s portray Bombay’s popular promenade, Marine Drive, rather than its mansions, but the incongruous gated communities sprouting in a city with little street crime and break-ins risk making it more dangerous, as they expel Jane Jacobs’ “eyes on the street”.

Nonetheless, Bombay’s public transport and spaces allow familiarity across classes, which, in Naresh’s view, can lead to empathy. He and Mary speak about religions and nationalities cohabiting in New York City. Following the 1999 police shooting of an African immigrant, Naresh witnessed individual protests by diverse communities, culminating in a collective march across Brooklyn Bridge. In other words, our voices matter. Citizen action can derail non-inclusive and marginalizing policy. We still have the responsibility of being agents of change.

Speakers:

• Katya Letunovsky, VP, Habidatum
• Mary Pagano, Board Member, Founder, Hera City, HeraTV, FemFoundry
• Nare

Cities that are congested and polluted, with high costs of living, a perpetual rat race and yet a more sedentary lifestyle, have created physical, mental and cognitive health issues. Zoonotic, infectious and non-communicable diseases, disability and changing demographics are putting health and social care under pressure. In this episode we look at how we can provide equitable, effective and regenerative health and social care to our citizens.

As Alicia Rojos Santos states, well thought out and implemented policies universally allow for better results in preventative and responsive health care. Defining and implementing a holistic approach - including pollution, nutrition, education and urban design - is imperative.

Of course, policies without sufficient funding aligned to health, socio-economic and cultural needs (not electoral cycles) will fail. Public-private partnerships have a role as governments alone cannot finance universal health coverage, whether in industrialised countries with ageing populations or global south countries with small tax bases.

Paradoxically, we find unused, expensive equipment across African cities. We must develop capacity, and a culture, to build and maintain technologies locally. At the same time, Dr Peter believes scaling up and exporting frugal innovation is viable if - once again - we align policy and financing, and we match solutions with needs.

Dr Karan Thakur and Peter Waiswa unpack the supply and demand mismatch across the world. On the one hand there is a brain drain of global south medical professionals moving to better pay and facilities in the global north. On the other hand you have “medical value travel” where citizens from the global north can get high quality, more affordable options in the global south. Even though there is also south-south medical tourism, governments in developing countries must recognise that retaining talent at home is vital if we are to fight inequity.

Speakers:

• Alica Rojos-Santos, Senior Consultant, Hanover Communications
• Dr Karan Thakur, Vice President, Projects & Public Affairs, Apollo Hospitals Group
• Dr Peter Waiswa, Associate Professor, Makerere University School of Public Health and Karolinska Institutet