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Pages from Public Space Progra
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Number of pages
100
Publication date
2017
Publisher
UN-Habitat

Global Public Space Programme Annual report 2016

Launched in 2011, UN-Habitat's Global Public Space Programme works to improve the quality of public spaces worldwide. The programme brings together knowledge, good approaches, tools and methodologies on public space and makes them availably to local authorities and other partners. It also demonstrates, through pilot projects in partnership with cities, the importance of public spaces in achieving sustainable urban development. The programme works in more than 25 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Kenya, South Africa, Peru, Haiti, Kosovo and Mexico.

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Global Public Space Programme
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Number of pages
100
Publication date
2017
Publisher
UN-Habitat

Annual Report 2016: Global Public Space Programme

Research shows that there is a positive correlation between planned urbanization and development and that urban economies are more productive than rural economies. Well-planned urbanization can be a powerful tool for creating employment and livelihoods. This requires a mindset shift away from viewing urbanization as a problem towards viewing urbanization as a powerful tool for development.

UN-Habitat supports countries to develop urban planning methods and systems to address current urbanization challenges such as population growth, urban sprawl, poverty, inequality, pollution, congestion, as well as urban biodiversity, urban mobility and energy, by promoting compact, better integrated and connected cities which are socially inclusive and resilient to climate change.

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Global_Public_Space_Toolkit
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Number of pages
150
Publication date
2024
Publisher
UN-Habitat

Global Public Space Toolkit: From Global Principles to Local Policies and Practice

Despite its importance in promoting sustainable urban development, public space has not been given the attention it deserves in literature and, more importantly, in the global policy arena. Yet there is a growing body of principles and sound policies for improving access to good public space in our cities, as well as a growing patrimony of good practices from different urban settings around the world. 

This toolkit will be a practical reference for local governments to frame and implement principles, policy recommendations and development initiatives on public space and for central governments to aid their efforts with material support and enabling legislation. It will also serve the purpose of demonstrating the value of the involvement of the citizenry and civil society in securing, developing and managing public space in the city.

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Using Minecraft for Youth Part
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Number of pages
24
Publication date
2015
Publisher
UN-Habitat

Using Minecraft for Youth Participation in Urban Design and Governance

UN-Habitat believes that ICT can be a catalyst to improve governance in towns and cities and help increase levels of participation, efficiency and accountability in public urban policies, provided that the tools are appropriately used, accessible, inclusive and affordable. Research shows that ICT use by youth can have a direct impact on increasing civic engagement, giving them new avenues through which to become informed, shape opinions, get organized, collaborate and take action.

UN-Habitat’s experiences of using the video game Minecraft as a community participation tool for public space design confirms this view and shows that providing youth with ICT tools can promote improved civic engagement. Youth are at the center of the ICT revolution, both as drivers and consumers of technological innovation. They are almost twice as networked as the global population as a whole, with the ICT age gap more pronounced in least developed countries where young people are up to three times more likely to be online than the general population.

The purpose of this paper is to outline UN-Habitat’s approach to using information and communication technology (ICT) as an enabler to encourage youth participation in urban design and governance.

 

Global Public Space Programme

Launched in 2011, the Global Public Space Programme aims to improve the quality of public spaces worldwide. Public spaces have historically often been overlooked and undervalued by urban authorities but is increasingly being considered the backbone of cities. Public spaces are sites which are accessible and enjoyable by all without a profit motive and take on various spatial forms, including parks, streets, sidewalks, markets and playgrounds. Good public spaces enhance community cohesion and promote health, happiness, and well-being for all citizens.

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