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Housing and Cities as Human Rights: Dialogues between Latin America and Canada
The document summarizes a presentation given by Lorena Zárate on housing and cities as human rights through dialogues between Latin America and Canada. It discusses the work of Habitat International Coalition, an NGO network working on human habitat issues in over 125 countries. It also describes the Mexico City Charter for the Right to the City, a document signed in 2010 that establishes principles for democratic management and production of urban space with a focus on social justice, sustainability, and collective rights.
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Housing and Cities as Human Rights: Dialogues between Latin America and Canada
- 1. Housing and citiesas human rights: dialogues between Latin America & Canada Lorena Zárate HIC Habitat International Coalition Wellesley institute, Toronto February 14th, 2013
- 2. Habitat International Coalition International independent and non profit network, created in 1976. 350 NGO’s, community based organizations, research and teaching institutes, professionals and activists in 125 countries. Working on human habitat related issues (technical, social, economical & political contents). www.hic-net.org
- 3. General objective andstrategies Promotion, defense and fullfilment of the right of every person to a place to live in peace and dignity (land and housing rights, human rights related to habitat, right to the city) Strenghthen social actors and processes (social production of habitat, human rights defense). Advocacy for housing and habitat public policies at local, national and international level.
- 4. Thematic areas Environment Gender Human rights Production of habitat
- 9. The Right tothe City is… The equitable use and enjoyment of the city under the principles of: Sustainability Democracy Equity Social Justice New collective right
- 10. The Right tothe City Human rights Democracy Equity Representative, Social Justice distributive, direct Territory Sustainability Planning and Public managment
- 11. David Harvey, 2008 The Right to the City as … The excercise of a collective power to transform the urbanization process. The right to change ourselves, by changing the city.
- 12. Mexico City Charter forthe Right to the City
- 13. Elaboration process: 2007-12 PromoterCommittee = - Urban Popular Movement - Mexico City Government - Human Rights Commission - Human Rights NGOs - Habitat International Coalition-Latin America Activities = o + 60 meetings o Public activities = + 5,000 people o Workshops / Radio programs / Children´s painting contest o Human Rights Fair / Videos / Publications / Blog / Website
- 14. Mexico City Charterfor the Right to the City Signed on 13 July, 2010 New legal status for the city (Constitution?) Changes in legal framework Changes in public administration Allocation of specific resources
- 15. Signed by 253representatives of Civil society organizations - Indigenous and campesino groups - Cooperatives - Tenants - Street sellers and workers - Unions - NGOs - Women organizations - Youth organizations - etc. Academic institutions Professional organizations
- 16. Right to theCity strategic principles Social function of land, property & city Human Democratic rights in management the city Democratic Democratic production enjoyment & of the city productive Sustainable habitat & responsible management of the commons
- 17. Full citizenship / fullexercise of human rights in the city Realization of political, economic, social, cultural and environmental human rights without discrimination. Ensure collective dignity and well-being in conditions of equality, equity, justice and solidarity. Generate conditions for the development of a dignified quality of life for all in the city, at both individual and collective levels.
- 19. The social functionof the city, land and property Distribution and regulation of urban land, space and the equitable use of common goods, services and opportunities offered by the city, prioritizing the -collectively defined- public interest. Guarantee the right of all persons to a secure place to live in peace and dignity through the creation of legal instruments and participatory mechanisms that oppose speculation, urban segregation, exclusion, forced evictions and displacements.
- 24. Democratic urban management Citizenparticipation at the highest levels of decision- making, including the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public policies, urban planning, budgeting and control of urban processes. Strengthen democracy through the creation of decision-making spaces and mechanisms of direct democracy.
- 26. The democratic production of urban space and productive habitat Facilitate the right to participate in the social production of habitat and to guarantee the productive insertion of all in the urban economy, including youth. Development of economic activities that contribute to a productive city of solidarity.
- 28. The sustainable andresponsible management of environmental, cultural and energy resources as common goods in the city Socially responsible use of resources and the enjoyment of a healthy environment that allows all people and communities to develop under equal conditions. Guarantee improved environmental conditions and that urban development does not take place at the cost of rural communities, ecological reserves, other cities or future generations.
- 32. The democratic andequitable enjoyment of the city Strengthening of social solidarity Expansion and improvement of public spaces. Rescue and strengthen the cultural and recreational enjoyment of public spaces and the respect for cultural diversity in the city.
- 35. The strategy forimplementation a) incorporation of the Charter into new and existing city laws, policies and planning initiatives; b) promotion and dissemination of the Charter among government workers, social organizations and citizens; c) organization of local action committees to advance the Charter’s objectives in different areas of the city; d) political commitments from elected representatives within the Federal District who are being asked to sign and implement the Charter in
- 36. Tensions to thinkabout… Housing policy Massive construction of houses Housing policy Urban/territorial planning Right to housing Right to the city Immediate needs Long-term transformations Metropolitan areas Small cities Formality Informality Urban agenda Rural agenda
- 37. HIC-AL publications (availableon-line)
- 39. HIC Habitat International Coalition More information: www.hic-net.org Contact: [email protected] @hicpresident
Editor's Notes
- #40 HIC-AL Informe de actividades y productos 2008