What makes a city truly smart? Or just? The answer lies with the people.
In this episode, we explore the human-centric side of Smart Cities with our guest Titus Kaloki from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Kenya office. Through their Just Cities Project, Titus is on a mission to make cities both smart and just, leveraging technology to put people at the center of urban planning.
Titus and his team have been leveraging an innovative software called Urban Collective Design Environment (U_CODE) to achieve an 85% participation rate in their Just Cities Project in the KMC informal settlement in Nakuru City, Kenya. This process brings together local government, urban planners, and citizens to co-design the future of the city using 3D modelling software.
Join us as we dive into how this approach results in community-informed plans that conform to urban guidelines and zoning while saving time, money, and reducing frustration for all parties involved.
Key insights from the episode include:
- The core principles of Smart Cities and how to make sure they remain inclusive and just
- The foundational elements of Just Cities and the opportunities and challenges of making them a reality
- How to use technology like U_CODE to enhance citizen participation and engagement in urban planning
- Insights and advice on applying these principles and technologies in other urban contexts
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Guest: Titus Kaloki
Titus Kaloki is a social justice champion with a keen focus on realizing just urbanization. He currently leads the Just Cities & Politics department at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Kenya office and has experience in enabling urban actors resolve challenges to provision and access to public goods and services in urban areas. He loves reading, travelling, community service and having a good laugh with friends!
Learn more: LinkedIn
Timestamps
- Forthcoming
Show Notes
- Contextualizing the Smart City in Africa: Balancing Human-Centered and Techno-Centric Perspectives for Smart Urban Performance
- Eko City Atlantic
- Friedrich Ebert Foundation
- Kenya Vision 2030
- Nakuru Vision 2050
- Practical Guide to Transformative Change Making
- Smart City Kigali
- The Just City by Susan S. Fainstein | Hardcover | Cornell University Press
- U_CODE — WISSENSARCHITEKTUR
- Learn More about U_CODE: Localising Participation Tools | Democracy Technologies
Acknowledgements
Sponsorships
This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.
Support
- Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
- Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos
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