The Public Realm for Equity, Inclusion, and Sustainability

We intend to demonstrate through illustrations of historic, existing, and new communities how social, educational, commercial, recreation and open space infrastructure support the goals of SDG 11 and the creation of successful urban multi-family housing environments. Common words that are at the core of this panel include streets, parks, squares, plazas, markets and forums. The role of cultural continuity is often embedded in our public environment. In multi-cultural cities, the balancing of existing cultural identity and cultural expression become an essential issue for the health of the city. The discussion will include traditional and emerging ideas for responding to climate change as defined by the recent Paris Accord. Issues of personal safety, public health, and civic security will also be discussed. The panel will discuss how the planning, programming, and design of both large and small public spaces support the social and economic development of communities and engagement of its citizens. There are many definitions of sustainability concepts essential to SDG 11, however there is a strong belief and evidence that it is the ability of people to gather to discuss issues of the day, is the ethical underpinning of a healthy sustainable community. The panel will discuss this idea relative to adequate, safe, and affordable housing for all especially the provision for all communities with universal access to safe and inclusive urban public spaces especially for women, children, older persons, and people with disabilities.