Heading Towards a Regenerative City: The Impact of Inclusiveness and Accessibility

This panel discussion will explore the synergies and overlaps between inclusiveness, accessibility and the concept of the Regenerative City. The term regenerative city describes a concept of urban development built on an environmentally enhancing, restorative relationship with the natural systems from which the city draws resources for its sustenance. The key objective of the event is to showcase how inclusiveness links to the concept of the Regenerative city, and more generally to environmental sustainability. By exploring the synergies between inclusiveness and sustainability, the discussion will put emphasis on the need to adopt a cross-sectoral approach to policy making, fundamental to solve the range of interconnected challenges facing cities today. In many countries, inequality and unequal access to basic services, facilities and opportunities can be exacerbated by spatial, cultural and environmental factors, reinforcing the deprivation faced by many groups, including persons with disabilities. It is therefore essential that planners and developers respond to these inequalities in the design of urban policies and understand how such policies also contribute to the creation of more sustainable cities. Ensuring accessibility of infrastructure, services, facilities and public spaces not only contributes to social development, inclusion and cohesion in cities, but is also in line with the creation of more liveable, walkable, people-centred and transit-friendly cities. Lastly, both regenerative and the inclusive cities are driven by inclusive and democratic decision-making processes. If all interests are properly heard and taken into account, even the voices of the weaker groups of society, then decisions are taken that will benefit all groups and serve their needs, and not just a few. Inclusive decisionmaking processes result in more accessibility, more inclusiveness and more equal, just and sustainable cities for all.