Urban development initiatives often pit competing interests against one another—ultimately, to the detriment of all. The city of Bet Shemesh stands as an exemplar for a collaborative and sustainable approach. The difference? An approach that recognizes community needs, and facilitates access to key resources.
The development of informal urban settlements is a perennial challenge for residents and municipal authorities—a challenge compounded by the absence of consultative processes and shared objectives. Alon Cohen Lifshitz presents two grassroots initiatives, seeking to give slum dwellers a voice and a stake in their own futures.
Tackling urban inequalities requires a plural approach, drawing from community knowledge and experiences. But it can sometimes be a challenge even to harness this resource. Kali Silverman presents the “Ladder of Participation” as a means of shaping a sustainable and practical response to social problems.
Climate change in India has created waves of internal migration, with a devastating impact on rural communities—particularly the most vulnerable members, women and children. Rachel Gerber and Jacob Sztokman describe the cycle of deprivation and marginalization that this led to —a prompt, should one be needed, for more assertive steps to protect the environment.
The COVID -19 pandemic has spotlighted the tensions between the privatization of public services and the state’s obligation to provide said services. Nigeria, as an emerging economy, is a useful case study for considering a recalibration of the “Free Market Vs Welfarism” Debate. The paradigm shift comprises safeguarding access, affordability, quality, and inclusion in healthcare.
Introduction
Homelessness, already a significant challenge in urban areas has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Homelessness is often accompanied by poor health, which together feeds a cycle of vulnerability and increased pressure on health care resources. Street Medicine, taking adapted healthcare services to the homeless, provides a bridge between the street and hospitals—improving outcomes and strengthening service delivery to a vulnerable population.
