The concept of the R2C draws inspiration from three main sources: urbanization, academic debate and the experiences of communities, cities and countries around the world.

With more than half the world’s population now living in areas defined as urban, campaigners are calling for a reappraisal of human rights to specifically embrace the urban domain. Building on the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, activists call for a reappraisal of what these rights mean in the urban context – the right to safety and security, adequate shelter, safe drinking water…

In academic circles, the R2C was first articulated in the 1960s by French sociologist Henri Lefebvre who argued that the commodification and privatization of urban space posed a threat to the fundamental social and political nature of cities. He called upon citizens to actively participate in the creation of their city. Since then, his ideas have inspired others to debate the meaning of urban citizenship, the role of legislation in creating urban social and physical fragmentation or, conversely, solving problems of exclusion and tensions between markets and rights.

Finally, activists, professionals, mayors and ministers around the world have been inspired by the concept of the R2C and have sought to implement it through a variety of mechanisms, including social campaigns, legal reform, participatory budgeting, upgrading programmes, etc. What lessons do these experiences offer for taking forward the R2C?

In the Dialogue, leading thinkers, officials and activists will share their perspectives on the contemporary relevance of the R2C and if it can be of assistance in creating more sustainable urbanization and bridging the urban divide.

• What does the Right to the City mean? – Is it an individual or collective right; is the R2C a universal concept or only relevant for some countries; are there some rights that are more fundamental than others; what restrictions on rights are acceptable; what responsibilities come with the R2C?
• Who has the Right to the City – who benefits and who is excluded from the R2C, and why? Are there reasonable limits to who should be able to access the R2C?

What can be done to realize the Right to the City – what are the roles and responsibilities of different actors – individual, community, private sector, State? What is the role of participatory governance? What initiatives have made cities more inclusive?

The Thematic Open Debate will discuss:

• The experience of migrants and immigrants – including people displaced by conflict, natural disaster or the impacts of climate change – their role in the formal and informal economy and their ability to access the benefits of urban life;
• The experience of social groups to demand the right to participate and have a voice in their cities;
• The physical, social and economic opportunities and constraints faced by women in realizing their R2C; and
• The experience of specific groups who are often excluded from the R2C, including indigenous groups, youth, the elderly and the handicapped

In the face of critics who argue that the R2C is ‘vague’ or ‘utopian,’ activists, mayors and ministers around the world are taking bold initiatives to translate the R2C from concept to action.

From Montréal to Dakar, Novosibirsk or New Delhi, city charters are strengthening transparent and efficient government. In Latin America, exciting national experiments in innovative legislation like the City Statute in Brazil, land value capture and participatory planning and budgeting promote poverty reduction. Human rights have been strengthened in Victoria, Australia, and in Mexico City, while many cities promote participation in urban decision-making as, for example in Locassa, Niamey and Montevideo.

This Thematic Open Debate will invite leading practitioners and professionals to present innovative approaches to realizing the R2C.

This Thematic Open Debate will discuss:

• What can be learned from innovative attempts to translate the R2C from concept to reality?
• What are the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in realizing theR2C – Government, international organisations, civil society, professional groups, etc.
• What is the way forward for the R2C?

The provisional lists of moderators and speakers include the following:

Moderators:

• Neal Peirce, journalist, the Washington Post, USA
• Alison Brown, University of Cardiff, U.K.

Speakers:

• Mr. Edesio Fernandes, Brazil
• Mr. David Harvey, City University of New York, USA
• Ms. Beatrice Corredor, Minister of Housing, Spain
• Ms. Esther Brimmer, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organisation Affairs, USA
• Ms. Rose Molokoane, Chair of South African Urban Poor, South Africa
• Mr. Michel Destot, Mayor of Grenoble, France
• Mr. Marcello Balbo, Universita IUAV di Venezia, Italy
• Ms. Margareta Wahlstrom, ASG for DRR, ISDR, Austria
• Mr. Enrique Ortiz, Habitat International Coalition (LAC), Brazil
• Mr. Miguel Baldez, Universidade Candido Mendes, Brazil
• Ms. Zoubida Allaoua, World Bank, USA
• Mr. Shi Nan, Secretary General of Urban Planning Society of China, China
• Mr. Augusto Barrera, Mayor of Quito, Ecuador
• Ms. Elizabeth Longworth, UNESCO, France