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Consulting

Integrating social justice into sustainable urban development

A specialized and innovative approach

Strategic thinking. Highly specialized. Efficiently delivered.

Cities work best when urban systems support human development.

This happens when resources are invested in developing a population that has its basic needs covered, is healthy and well-educated, so it has the opportunities, the tools and the support system to fulfil its maximum potential. In practice, this means a strong and productive workforce, happier and more satisfied people, and ultimately social and political peace.

Our work looks for the most effective ways to achieve:

  • Sustainable systems that guarantee basic needs
  • Decent living conditions and quality of life
  • A healthy urban-rural relationship
  • Social infrastructure that supports healthcare, education, and housing
  • Seamless intra- and inter- city mobility
  • An enjoyable interaction with natural environments

We start with the premise that co-existence between people and planet, between the built, social and natural environments, is desirable and achievable and that collective ideas are key for innovative solutions.

Our overarching goal is to synergize and maximize social and environmental positive outcomes in today’s urban settings, and forge the mindset, values, and strategic plans for future just and sustainable cities.

Transversal elements in our work:
  • Research: our ideas and everything that is built upon them has a solid base of knowledge, scientific rigor and robust evidence.
  • Introspection: we bring critical lens and strategic design to question underlying assumptions, reasons and purpose in the first place. This way our strategies are inclusive and self-critical by design.
  • Holistic approach: nothing is in a vacuum, so we look at the political, economic, and social ecosystems interacting with urban challenges in a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectorial way.
  • Local knowledge – Global perspective: we always work with local expertise and draw on our years of international experience to bring global best practices to inform local solutions, models, policies and innovations.

What we do

We help connect research and practice to achieve not only your goals, by also the goals of the planet.

  • Independent urban research
  • Policy advisory
  • Strategy design
  • Implementation

How we do it

We use a specialized approach to understand each context and use innovative methods that integrate:

  • Inclusive and participatory processes
  • Visioning and (re)imagination
  • Human rights principles
  • Just transition frameworks
  • Systems approach
  • Holistic planning

What we can offer to

Public sector
Local, regional, and national governments

Why? Now, more than ever, it is critical to place citizens and social justice at the heart of urban policy making. Governments are responsible to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and environmental commitments such as NDCs and CO2 reduction targets. We understand there is substantial pressure and public scrutiny. Integrating social justice in existing and new agendas will build public support not only during election times, but will also create legacies to be proud of.

Engage us for:

  • Research of specific urban challenges in close collaboration with your local universities and relevant stakeholders
  • Advising on the process and formulation of urban policies and strategies on affordable housing, inclusive mobility, social equity, human and economic development, internationalization, etc.
  • Co-creation or strengthening of action plans and roadmaps for implementation
  • Integration of projects and actions that achieve goals across multiple areas. For example, synergizing housing and climate resilience plans to optimize time and resources.
  • Urban governance: adopting Social Urbanism and/or Mission-oriented projects or models.

 

See for example our work with: Cartagena de Indias, Colombia resulting in a new District Development Plan 2024-2027: A City of Rights (Plan Distrital de Desarrollo 2024-2027 Ciudad de Derechos) with a human rights approach.

Private sector
Developers, planning, design, architecture firms

Why? Make communities your allies: where some see conflict and opposition, we see opportunity and potential. By aligning with social needs, urban development projects become beloved by communities and surpass the test of time and public scrutiny. It will also open new opportunities and markets as socially-sensitive projects are in high demand.

Engage us for:

  • Social strategy: we help create places that allow and promote social wellbeing and human flourishing, by understanding what people need and providing it.
  • Assessment and measurement of social dimensions of built environment projects: human rights compliance, promotion of wellbeing, social connection, positive emotions, access to opportunities, knowledge sharing, etc.
  • Early-stage Social Impact Assessments (SIAs), social infrastructure studies, social research and measurement, community and stakeholder engagement strategies, etc. that influences urban design and planning decisions
  • Company-tailored methodologies for embedding social value in urban projects and in the company’s standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • Strengthening the “S” in ESG impact investment requirements and social risk management

 

See for example our work with: Traza Urban Consultancy on social engagement and communication to boost Citizen Energy Communities and Renewable Energy Sources in the EU project ‘Lightness’

Third sector
NGOs, think-tanks, and international organizations

Why? There is growing recognition of the importance of social justice in urban development and of ensuring urban sustainability transitions are done in a just way. The third sector is uniquely placed outside of, but working together with, the public and private sectors to play a critical, integrator and collaborative role in advancing social justice. We can support your organization whether urban social justice is your main goal or if you want to make it part of your current projects or operations. 

Engage us for:

  • Research and analysis of social, economic, or political issues in urban development and transitions
  • Urban comparative studies using a multi-level proven methodology that analyzes national, regional, and local contexts to draw implementable lessons across case studies
  • Policy recommendations, multi-stakeholder initiatives and collaborative action plans
  • Organizational advocacy strategies and participation in global narratives, networks, funding and events to advance your mission
  • Scan of opportunities to connect research and practice and maximise social outcomes
 

See for example our work with: the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) Built Environment Program to design, manage and deliver the two-year global research project «Advancing Just Transitions in the Built Environment«, a study that explored human rights and social justice in climate actions in  8 cities around the world. Also, an example of urban comparative research.

Academia
Universities and research institutions

Why? With a record of award-winning urban research we bring scientific rigor, innovative research design, and insightful thinking to academic projects. We also build capacity and instill social justice and urban sustainability values in the next generation of urbanists and change makers. 

Engage us for:

  • Urban studies including urban sociology, geography, economics, political economy, urban systems, etc. employing quantitative and qualitative methods.
  • Research ideation, design, management, conduction, analysis, and communication of results in diverse media for various audiences.
  • Guest lectures, talks and discussions on social innovation, social urbanism, human rights in the built environment, social value, urban sustainability, new economies, and similar topics
  • Teaching, tutoring, dissertation guidance and support to university students and junior researchers 
  • Strategic partnerships with a global network of universities to engage in cutting-edge, internationally-funded projects. 
 

See for example Alejandra’s academic publications in social innovation (Taylor & Francis) and social urbanism (Palgrave Macmillian)

A multidisciplinary team:

The only way to tackle complex urban challenges is to leverage collective knowledge, capacities and experiences. Led by Alejandra Rivera, Urban Matters works with various experts in different fields with complementary skill sets. Together we create the ideal, most diverse, international, and multidisciplinary team, tailored-made for each project:

Contact

Let’s discuss urban matters, collaborate, and help make the world a better place!

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