Urban Lunch Talk #24

From Challenges to Solutions: Exploring Gender Perspectives in Urban Planning, Migration, and Integration

 

14 February | 12:00-13:00 (CET) | Online (Zoom) 

Welcome to a new episode of the Urban Lunch Talks series addressing the theme ‘Urban transitions in times of crisis’. This webinar will share insights from projects funded in a JPI Urban Europe call that focused on urban migration. The findings of these projects shed light on both the complex challenges facing migrants, particularly women, and the innovative solutions that are available – some of which are already active in European cities today. 

With new conflicts arising closer to home, in combination with an increase in environmental disasters caused by climate change, Europe will see new waves of migrants. How can European cities better prepare for their integration?

Many cities today struggle to provide support that meets the needs of some of our most vulnerable residents. This has a profound impact on the integration of newcomers. Being a newcomer in a European city – especially for those displaced against their will – is fraught with difficulties. And migrant groups are not homogenous. There are factors making these experiences even harder – and one of them is simply being female.

Research reveals a male-centric view of migrants. At an institutional level, in municipal management and urban planning, this helps explain why support infrastructure for women lags far behind that for men. Female new arrivals receive less support with accessing employment and language learning, negatively impacting their chances for integration. Women are also much more likely to rely on the area they live in. Therefore, the provision of infrastructure for daily needs within reach is of great importance.

Urban planners and policymakers should be encouraged – and trained in how – to meet the needs of stakeholders from all genders and backgrounds. But where is the best place to start?

During this webinar we will discuss what strategies cities can apply to promote integration, improve equality and urban quality. Join us for a dynamic discussion about what can be done to further support arrival and integration processes in urban areas, with a particular focus on female integration.

 

Speakers

  • Simon Pemberton – Professor of Human Geography at Keele University. Project coordinator of the JPI Urban Europe project EMPOWER
  • Linda Gustafsson – Gender equality strategist at Umeå kommun, Sweden
  • Karl Dickinson – Editor and journalist at CityChangers

Moderator: Jennifer Wendelius – Communications Officer, Driving Urban Transitions Partnership

 

Watch the recording of the webinar on the DUT YouTube channel.

 

Urban Lunch Talk webinar series

This Urban Lunch Talk is part of a webinar series to discuss and synthesise cross-cutting research and innovation, with diverse stakeholders across Europe and beyond. By facilitating conversations among various stakeholders, we aim to inspire collaborative efforts and practical solutions that can drive sustainable transitions in urban policies and practices. The webinar is designed to be more of a listening experience, allowing you to enjoy your lunch or take a walk at the same time. The Urban Lunch Talk is live recorded on Zoom, and later published for the Driving Urban Transitions YouTube channel.

 

Find the latest episodes on the DUT YouTube channel. Previous episodes can be found on the JPI Urban Europe YouTube channel.