Experts from the international projects Clever Cities, euPOLIS, and HEART, which offer innovative solutions in the field of participatory urban planning and implementation of nature-inspired urban interventions, and specialists on gender equality and public health met representatives of city institutions and the event participants to think together “out of the box”

The world is changing dramatically and cities are facing major social, geopolitical, economic, and climate challenges that affect the quality of our lives. It became evident that we can no longer base our urban planning solely on profit-based criteria and commercial interests, therefore we need to make changes in the direction of more sustainable, inclusive urban planning that will take into account the regeneration and restoration of natural resources and the needs of all citizens, especially sensible groups. Additionally, the sectoral approach to planning often overlooks the interrelationships and synergistic potentials of the diverse elements of urban metabolism, which further reduces the quality of life in cities.

The gathered experts and representatives of relevant institutions will discuss how to include these perspectives in the public dialogue on planning more sustainable, healthier, and happier cities and achieve synergy of a people-centered approach with significant environmental and economic benefits for all citizens. Experts from the international projects Clever Cities, euPOLIS, and HEART, which offer innovative solutions in the field of participatory urban planning and implementation of nature-inspired urban interventions, and specialists on gender equality and public health met representatives of city institutions and the event participants to think together “out of the box” and open space for improving the planning process, by identifying specific steps towards the institutionalization of these criteria in our urban practice and procedures. The discussion is realized in cooperation with the festival partners, the Women’s Architectural Society, and the United Nations Office for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Serbia – UN Women.

Panelists:

Daniel Podmirseg, CEO of Institute for Vertical Farming, Austria

Marko Stojcic, City Urbanist, City of Belgrade

Milana Rikanovic, Director of United Nations Agency for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment UN Women Serbia

Natasa Djuric, EuPOLIS / Society of Women Architects

Vesna Tahov, General Director at Urban Planning Institute, City of Belgrade

Moderator:

Ana Mitic Radulovic, Founder & Research Coordinator at Centre for Experiments in Urban Studies (CEUS) / member of the expert team of the Clever Cities project

Video message: Dr. Perisa Simonović, Deputy Director, Public Health Institute, Dr. Milan Jovanović Batut The impact of nature-based urban solutions and social inclusion on public health and the well-being of citizens.