Between July and November, seven virtual dialogue sessions were held to share experiences, lessons and challenges in the implementation of urban policies for post-pandemic care and recovery, with the aim of contributing to strengthening the capacities of local and national governments in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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(Mexico City, December 4, 2020) – Although the current COVID-19 pandemic situation has made the vulnerabilities of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) cities even more visible, it has also allowed for evidence of creativity and commitment in the design and implementation of urban policies by local and national officials and citizens. These are policies that helped to deal with the consequences of this crisis. In this context, and in order to analyze challenges and enable solutions among LAC cities, Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities) together with CAF -development Bank of Latin America, through the Cities with a Future Initiative organized a virtual exchange space called URBAN RECOVERY: Resilient Responses to the Crisis. This forum, to create and share knowledge and best practices among municipalities and key actors in the regional urban ecosystem, aimed at mitigating or helping control the consequences of the pandemic.
This partnership initiative, drawing on peer support, specialized knowledge and shared experiences, seeks to strengthen local and national governments to help them formulate urban interventions. The sessions were attended by more than 150 municipal and national officials from 20 cities and 9 countries in the region. It addressed various topics related to local development, such as: urban mobility, city development and community participation in informal settlements, municipal and neighborhood food markets management, sustainable food supplies for vulnerable populations, digital inclusion and economic recovery, urban parks and public spaces, and challenges to the reopening of schools.
Pablo Lopez, coordinator of the Cities with a Future Initiative, highlighted the importance of these forums for dialogue to be able to discuss ideas and identify concrete solutions to the daily challenges imposed by the pandemic. “These spaces have been highly valued by the participants, because, based on an environment of trust and openness to diverse voices and experiences, it was possible to identify actions that could be adapted and replicated in each urban context.”
Eugene Zapata, Global Director for Strategic Partnerships and Head of Latin America and the Caribbean at Resilient Cities Network, valued the importance of these talks for generating a resilient urban recovery, “Something useful left by these dialogues is the knowledge product that systematizes the conversation and allows us to offer, not only to the participants, but also to other actors in the urban environment, a set of concrete steps or themes to take into account when formulating urban policies.“
About CAF
CAF promotes a sustainable development model through credit, non-refundable resources, and support in the technical and financial structuring of projects in the public and private sectors in Latin America.
For more information on CAF visit https://www.caf.com/en/
About Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities)
Resilient Cities Network is a global city-led non-profit organization that brings together knowledge, practice, partnerships, and funding to empower cities to help them build a safe, equitable, and sustainable future for all. The Network integrates the combined effort of urban practitioners, city governments, and communities in a collective, comprehensive, and well-coordinated call-to-action to deliver urban impact-driven resilience solutions.
Media Contact
Nikki Rudnick
nrudnick@resilientcitiesnetwork.org
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