On 22nd of September 2021, JPI Urban Europe, Start International and ICLEI Africa kicked-off the co-organised workshop series “Driving urban transitions towards sustainable and just futures in Africa”.

The aim of this workshop series is to develop visions and fields of action for urban transitions in Africa. As contribution to the African Mobility Month 2021, the first workshop focused on 15-min cities, one of the transition pathways of JPI Urban Europe’s upcoming Driving Urban Transitions Programme. 30 participants joined the workshop.

In the first step, the participants developed visions of how life in their cities would be like if their neighbourhoods / urban areas would be transformed towards 15 minute cities. It showed, that the concept of 15-Minute Cities has the potential to transform African urban areas towards sustainable, just and livable urban futures. Some quotes from the participants:

• The transition towards a 15-min city“would mean safety, affordability as well as accessibility, enough space, exchange, interaction for everybody – fun to live here, not regarding who you are!”.
• Cities would “have more open, green spaces to allow rain to be absorbed and to have air current to cool the city in summer; as well most of the parking space would have been transformed into “public spaces”.
• “Fully transformed would feel safe and green and fun – no discrimination and lots of friendly cooperation with a govern/management focused on “real people’s” needs.”

In the following session, participants were asked to identify the field of actions for making their visions a reality. The discussions highlighted that addressing local urban challenges and being sensitive to the local contexts is essential to use the 15-minute city concept to transform urban areas. This includes the co-production of long-term visions, considering informality, and empowering civil society organisations to have a stake in the planning processes.

This includes the co-production of long-term visions, considering informality, and empowering civil society organisations to have a stake in the planning processes.

The results of the workshop series will also be used to develop a joint report / publication by JPI Urban Europe, START International and ICLEI Africa on ‘Driving Urban Transitions in Africa’. Furthermore, the outcomes of the workshop will be used for assessing opportunities for joint activities of the Driving Urban Transitions Programme with national and regional funding agencies, and organisations financing research and innovation projects in Africa.

 

The outcomes of the workshop will be used for assessing opportunities for joint activities of the Driving Urban Transitions Programme with national and regional funding agencies, and organisations financing research and innovation projects in Africa.

The next workshop in this series will be organised in February / March 2022 targeting “Regenerative urbanism: circular economy and nature-based solutions for urban transitions.” More information can be found here or feel free to contact Johannes.riegler@jpi-urbaneurope.eu.