Co-designing publics: Radical democracy and transformative urbanisms with Aseem Inam

May 3, 2023

Globally, contemporary cities face seemingly insurmountable challenges such as urban inequality, inadequate infrastructure, climate crisis, and increasingly, threats to democracy. In the face of such challenges, the Dr. Aseem Inam introduces the concept of "co-designing publics" by examining what lies at the potent intersection of the public realm and informal urbanisms. He defines the public realm as interconnected spatial and political networks of public spaces that weave a city together, while informal urbanisms are the transactional conditions of ambiguity that exist between what is acceptable and what is unacceptable in cities.

 

At their intersection are publics, who never simply exist because they are always created. In fact, publics are co-designed [i.e. co-created in inventive and multifarious ways] around common concerns or desire through volitional inquiry and action. He contextualizes these discussions by paying particular attention to the cities of the global south, because place matters in shaping urban thinking and practice. There is an increasing interest in thinking and practicing from cities of the global south rather than just about them. He then describes how these ideas are being further investigated through case studies in cites around the world and articulated through interactive events in the Co-Designing Publics International Research Network. He concludes with thoughts on the profound implications of co-designing publics for radical democracy and transformative urbanisms.

In addition to this audio, you can watch the video and read the full transcript of their presentation on Shareable.net – while you’re there get caught up on past lectures.

This is the last episode of this semester — but don't fear, in the break we'll be sharing a new series focused on The Imaginal Cells of the Solidarity Economy which will showcase the myriad ways that solidarity economy practices are providing models and pathways to build a more cooperative, democratic, equitable, and sustainable world--one in which many worlds fit.

 

This series is co-presented by the Resist & Build's SE Narrative Circle, the U.S. Solidarity Economy Network, the New Economy Coalition, and Shareable — the first event focusing on Community Ownership is happening live on Wednesday, May 17th at 2pm EST. Click here to register for a free ticket. We’ll also share the recording of the live event here on this feed — so stay tuned if you miss the event or want to listen to it again.

Cities@Tufts Lectures explores the impact of urban planning on our communities and the opportunities to design for greater equity and justice with professor Julian Agyeman and host Tom Llewellyn. 

Cities@Tufts Lectures is produced by Tufts University and Shareable.net with support from The Kresge Foundation, Barr Foundation and SHIFT Foundation.

Lectures are moderated by Professor Julian Agyeman and organized in partnership with research assistants Deandra Boyle and Caitlin McLennan. Roame Jasmin is our producer, Robert Raymond is our audio editor, the original portrain of Aseem Inaam was illustrated by Caitlin McLennan, the graphic recording was illustrated by Anke Dregnet, and the series is produced and hosted by Tom Llewellyn. 

“Light Without Dark” by Cultivate Beats is our theme song and Caitlin McLennon created this episode's graphic.