Global Utmaning is a partner in the transnational capacity-building programme Urban Challenges – Making public transport safe for all, initiated by the Swedish Institute, to support safe and inclusive public transports in Latin America. Experiences of localizing SDGs and feminists urban development will guide Global Utmaning’s engagement in the programme.
Making transport safe for all is a major urban challenge in most cities across the globe. To build capacity and develop concrete ideas and project for how to build more inclusive, safe and accessible cities and urban mobilities, the Swedish Institute invited Global Utmaning to participate in its three-year-long programme Urban Challenges – Making public transport safe for all. Aiming to ensure safe and secure environments in and around public transport with focus on equality and the needs of those in vulnerable situations in Latin America, the programme connects case owners from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Sweden with problem solvers i.e. creative minds from academia, private sector, NGOs or a social entrepreneur, among which some already are partners to the think tank such as White Architects, Changers Hubs and Global Shapers Stockholm. In the coming years, case owners and problems solvers will co-develop a three-year project to address issues of insecurity and/or inaccessibility in public transportation systems in Mexico City, Stockholm, Brasilia, Bogotá, Fortaleza and Barranquilla.
The project kick-off took place at Impact Hub Medellín, Colombia on November 21-22, 2019 during which Global Utmaning participated in the workshops sharing experience from UrbanGirlsMovement and Global Utmaning’s previous leadership- and capacity-building programmes.
Global Utmaning has been partnered with city representatives from Brasilia, Brazil to work as problem solvers on the case: Lacking infrastructure on walkways creates an unsafe environment that prevents women from using public transport. A study shows that women in Brasilia are worried about their safety when moving in places without lighting and sidewalks or in crowded places or places with only unknown men. Women mainly feared was: a) being raped, b) kidnapped or murdered, or c) harassed. In the coming years, Global Utmaning will work together with the case owner and other problem solvers to present a solution that allows women in Brazil to move in their home environment under the same conditions as men, without having to worry about their safety.
The development of the programme and the project in Brasilia will be updated continuously.
Contact Person,
Joel Ahlgren, project manager Global Utmaning
Photo by Patrick Craig on Unsplash
