HUMANITARIAN INNOVATION: THE GLOBAL STAGE … · Cynthia E. Smith, Curator of Socially Responsible Design Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, New York, USA culture’s

May 16, 2013, Hangzhou, China Hangzhou International Congress "Culture: Key to Sustainable Development" Cynthia E. Smith, Curator of Socially Responsible Design Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, New York, USA

culture’s contribution to achieving sustainable cities

[Remarks based on field research contained in exhibition and book: Cynthia E. Smith, Design with the Other 90%: CITIES (New York, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, 2011), translated into Korean 2013.]

expands healthcare at all levels

improves access to education

improves local economies minimizes environmental impact

increases social inclusion

supports cultural diversity

socially responsible DESIGN address broad set of concerns:

Today I will share examples from my most recent exhibition, Design with the Other 90%: CITIES, organized for Smithsonian's National Design Museum opened at the U.N., addresses the complex issues arising from the unprecedented growth of informal settlements––commonly known as slums, favelas or squatter settlements––in emerging and developing economies; highlighting the importance of culture.

United Nations, New York: Cynthia E. Smith, © Smithsonian Institution

Historically, professionally-trained designers have only focused on a small percentage of the world’s population often leaving out the majority of the world, but that is changing in the new millennium as designers, architects, engineers, planners, policy-makers, and NGOs are collaborating with local communities, to formulate innovative approaches to urban planning; affordable housing; non-formal education and public health initiatives.

United Nations, New York: Matt Flynn, © Smithsonian Institution

1 billion people

Currently, close to one billion people live in informal settlements around the world. That number is projected to double by 2030.This massive urban migration into crowded, unhealthy informal settlements is the leading challenge of this century pushing beyond the capacity of many local authorities to cope.

2 billion by 2030 Dhaka, Bangladesh: Cynthia E. Smith, © Smithsonian Institution

informal settlement growth

Most of the growth will take place in Africa and SE Asia–– in an increasingly climate-challenged world (orange current informal settlement locations, light orange growth in 20 years). Pushed by conflict and climate change or pulled with the hope of a better life these urban migrants suffer from insecure land tenure, limited access to basic services, and crowded living conditions. At the same time, these informal cities are full of culture and life.

Informal Settlement World Map: © Christian Werthman

cities within cities More than simply places of dwelling – they are shaped by culture, geography, history, the political climate. These “cities within cities” accommodate commerce, cultural production, worship, education and play. They can also be “engines of urban poverty reduction” due to their high density; low transportation costs for worker residents; high property usage; along with a strong cultural and migrant affiliation within micro-industries.

cities within cities

© Cynthia E. Smith, Smithsonian

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil : Cynthia E. Smith, © Smithsonian Institution

exchange

In response to this and other critical issues designers are using numerous innovative design approaches, including: exchanging design information directly with people who need it most so they can become their own designers. Horizontal design exchanges has been successful for the transnational group Shack and Slum Dwellers International––sharing experiences and design tools peer-to-peer between urban poor communities, mostly women ––in 34 diff countries.

Shack and Slum Dwellers International: © SDI

Partnering with community architects SDI engages in community enumeration and mapping, determining housing, public gathering spaces and infrastructure upgrades via settlement planning, design and construction. Peer-to-peer exchange empowers marginalized communities AND enables the rapid dissemination of locally developed design solutions appropriate to local culture and customs.

peer-to-peer

Shack and Slum Dwellers International Images: © SDI

incremental

In South Africa the Design with Africa initiative is proposing a design and manufacturing alternative reflecting the African Ubuntu concept of inter-connectedness. Using the Incremental Design Approach––only part of the product is built––calling on local ingenuity and skills to complete a bike or cart on their own.

Design with Africa: © …XYZ Design

before Cities throughout the global north are learning from southern cities which are developing innovative solutions with limited resources in challenging environments. This community in Bangkok, Thailand had lived in stilt houses along the polluted canal. Reflecting the culture of cooperation the residents partnered with community architects and the government to improve living conditions.

Bang Bau Canal Community Upgrading: © ACHR

after

Rather than evicting the residents from this public land the Thai government understood the importance of social cohesion so the community remained in place, first saving together to build trust, then leveraging the funds to get low cost government loans to rebuild via the Baan Mankong Community Upgrading program.


before

In Medellín, Columbia the mayor used architecture and urban design to transform the most violent city in the world to a safer inclusive metropolis.

Medellin MetroCable and NE Integral Urban Project: © EDU Medellín, Metro de Medellín Ltda and the Center for Urban and Environmental Studies, University Urbamar EAFIT

after

Medellín’s Integral Urban Projects focused the city’s resources on providing locations characterized by poverty and social unrest with improved public buildings and a new transportation system. The community engages in sports and cultural activities in the improved safer public spaces.


Conservation of local cultural production and acknowledgement of the importance of the informal sector can help to create a safer, more economically sustainable inclusive city.

informal sector

iTRUMP Warwick Junction: © Dennis Gilbert, courtesy of the book Working in Warwick

To support the over 5,000 informal traders at a regional transportation hub the city of Durban, South Africa –– sensitive to culture and pre-apartheid inequities –– they engaged the traders in the planning and restoration of several robust markets that sell traditional medicines, crafts and cuisine. This Morning Produce Market is located in a restored heritage building.

inclusive city iTRUMP Warwick Junction: © Dennis Gilbert, courtesy of the book Working in Warwick

cooperative work

In Brazil the COOPA-ROCA cooperative founded in a Rio de Janeiro favela community designs products under their own label for the international market –– expanding work opportunities for women artisans through traditional craft production.

Cristal de Luz: © TTLeal, COOPA-ROCA

inclusive urban design Going forward it is critical we find ways to share these and the numerous other urban success stories; to implement and sustain these efforts over time. This will require a more inclusive urban design; responsible economic and environmental policies;


culturally appropriate

culturally appropriate responses; establishing new institutions and transparent governance;


improve equity

improved equity and security; and land reform for a more just and humane urban world.

Dhaka, Bangladesh: Cynthia E. Smith, © Smithsonian Institution

culture is fundamental

And as we look to the Post 2015 Sustainable Development Agenda I would propose several recommendations: Culture is fundamental to all civilizations and our common humanity and should be included in the sustainable development of our cities.

Dakar, Senegal: Cynthia E. Smith, © Smithsonian Institution

pro-poor development

As we face rapid urbanization it is imperative that we commit to pro-poor urban development, providing support for the urban poor to experiment, innovate, and scale up their own culturally specific solutions.

: Platform of Hope: © Khondaker Hasibul Kabir

build local capacity

Build capacity at a local level by establishing community innovation hubs where local innovators and inventors are mentored and receive access to materials, bringing initiatives to scale, for both local and global markets.

International Design Development Summit, DLab,@ MIT, Kumasi, Ghana: Cynthia E. Smith, © Smithsonian Institution

thriving urban centers

Most countries economies are linked to cities. Establishing thriving urban centers ––economically, socially, environmentally and culturally sustainable –– in the north as well as throughout the southern hemisphere is imperative over the next decades.

Mexico City, Mexico: Cynthia E. Smith, © Smithsonian Institution

1 billion solutions

Finally, and perhaps most important this massive urbanization could be perceived as 1 billion problems––paradoxically, it can be seen as 1 billion solutions if we listen and learn from local innovation and culture.

: Platform of Hope: © Khondaker Hasibul Kabir

thank you UNESCO and the City of Hangzhou for hosting this important discussion culture and sustainable development [For further information about this exhibition and research: @designother90; www.designother90.org]

Documents

HUMANITARIAN INNOVATION: THE GLOBAL STAGE … · Cynthia E. Smith, Curator of Socially Responsible Design Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, New York, USA culture’s