Can you help make Cities for People?
Yes, of course you can. I believe we can all make a difference if we want to, whoever we are and whoever we represent. Here are some ideas:
Central Governments
The first thing you can do if you work in central government is to empower city governments, listen to what they need to make things happen, and then do what they ask.
Other things you can do include: set the right frameworks to allow businesses to help cities; encourage small, local businesses; and think through all your policies from cities’ point of view
City Governments and Municipalities
Your job is very, very important. All cities for people that I know have been led by strong municipalities and local politicians. Without you, the city has little chance of success.
Ask yourself, “Is my city for people? What can I personally do to make it more of a city for people?”
Ask yourself what policies you can change and how you can rethink the city. Ask central government to give you the power you need to make it happen. Set rules and regulations that incentivise business to do the right thing. Look for opportunities instead of making excuses.
If you do nothing else, think of the city from the point of view of the people.
Business
As a business, small, medium or large, you can do a number of things.
First, you can try and make good business in a way that helps the city. For example, selling solar energy or local food or recycled clothes. You could call this sustainable development, doing good business that is good for people and good for the environment.
Second, you can see if, while doing good business, you can take more responsibility for the city. For example, when refurbishing your shop, how can you make it attractive for pedestrians? Or can you try and use local suppliers that think sustainably? Or perhaps you can help educate and amuse your customers in the way you do business, making them feel better? This is what you might call corporate responsibility.
Are you a small, local business? You help naturally in one other way. You will help improve the local economy simply because your profits stay local and are spent locally.
Are you a big business? You can help spread ideas and best practice between cities due to your unique presence in several locations. I believe this is going to be a very profitable and appreciated trend in 21st century business.
As an individual
Do you sometimes feel depressed, helpless and confused by all the negative things you hear and see about things like climate change, poverty and crime?
I know I do sometimes.
But try not to be. Instead do positive things that, however small they may seem, can help. For example, work for a company that is helping cities. Or within your work, try to make business cases for things that help the city.
Try and add to community and lead by example to others. For example, help organise a music event at your local school, pub or town hall. Or simply ride a bike to work, rather than drive.
Perhaps you can join or start your local transition town group where your local community talks about how you can help solve the twin challenges of peak oil and climate change?
There are many, many things you can do. Be creative. As Robert Kennedy said:
"Our answer is the world's hope; it is to rely on youth. The cruelties and the obstacles of this swiftly changing planet will not yield to obsolete dogmas and outworn slogans. It cannot be moved by those who cling to a present which is already dying, who prefer the illusion of security to the excitement and danger which comes with even the most peaceful progress. This world demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of the imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease. "