CHAPTER 6: CALL TO ACTION
6.1 The Active Role of Citizens in Urban Transformation
It is becoming increasingly clear that citizens have an important role to play in the transformation of cities. If they are to play that role effectively, it is vital that they are actively involved in the development of their communities. Community participation ensures that the solutions adopted reflect local needs, which is essential for the creation of sustainable urban environments. There are already several examples, such as participatory budgeting, which demonstrate that citizen involvement can improve resource management and increase public transparency.
6.2 Need for Collective Involvement
Politicians, who often have a great many demands on their time and may lack the necessary technical knowledge, could greatly benefit from the input of experts and civil society when it comes to dealing with housing challenges. Such collaboration could increase the effectiveness and sustainability of public policies, ensuring that solutions are based on concrete data and practices adapted to the local reality.
6.3 Forming a Multidisciplinary Team of Specialists
It would be beneficial to consider the formation of a team of specialists to support the success of urban regeneration. This team could potentially include architects, engineers, lawyers, economists, sociologists, environmentalists and public managers. By integrating these disciplines, it may be possible to ensure that the proposed solutions are technically feasible, legal, economically sustainable and socially inclusive, with a clear focus on sustainability.
6.4 Learning from the Stockholm example
Stockholm provides an excellent example of success, applying a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach through an advisory council made up of experts and community representatives. The city's commitment to integrating community feedback and expert advice demonstrates how involving various stakeholders can lead to more effective and sustainable urban solutions The city has implemented a few solutions, including the construction of affordable housing and the revitalisation of run-down areas, which demonstrate that the active participation of citizens can produce significant results.
6.5 Development of Strategic Plans and Implementation
It would be beneficial for the multidisciplinary team to develop comprehensive strategic plans that include diagnosing housing needs, defining clear targets and indicators, and exploring innovative financing models. The implementation of pilot projects could allow small-scale solutions to be tested and adjusted before wider application.
6.6 Call to Action
It is becoming increasingly clear that the housing crisis requires the mobilisation of all sectors of society. We would like to encourage citizens to take part in community forums and participatory budgeting initiatives, where they can collaborate with experts and authorities to transform vacant buildings into decent housing. We believe that collective and coordinated action is essential to revitalise cities and improve quality of life.