“Shared Streets” (Calles Compartidas), a project by the Chilean Urban Innovation Lab Ciudad Emergente, was recognized at the Scroll of Honour Awards for the urban impact of transforming certain streets in Santiago, Chile, into gathering spaces capable of significantly reducing the city’s carbon footprint. The UN-Habitat initiative seeks to encourage the work of those dedicated to innovation in sustainable urban development. In this edition, the 80 nominations were evaluated based on their response to the crisis caused by the pandemic and the theme of World Habitat Day 2021, “Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world,” as well as their potential for replicability in different cities around the world. Below, discover the five winners that stood out for the resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity of their proposals.
Verdict. For its innovative approach to testing a shared streets concept for low-carbon cities.
The Chilean urban innovation lab has contributed to low-carbon cities by transforming the urban design of car-centric spaces into multi-use spaces for cars, people, and the environment. Calles Compartidas resulted in a ninefold reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, a drop in air and noise pollution, and an improvement in public safety.
This experimental initiative seeks to implement experiences based on sustainable mobility and citizen participation in Chile. Calles Compartidas is a pilot previously tested in the United Kingdom and other Latin American countries, aiming to promote a change in public street usage habits by encouraging both sustainable transport and the relationships among users and behaviors capable of reversing high levels of environmental pollution.
Verdict. For its role in providing safe and affordable social housing projects in Egypt.
Over the past 40 years, the Egyptian authority has developed safe, affordable social housing projects aligned with the SDGs and Egypt Vision 2030, fostering social cohesion among all residents. Over the years, NUCA has provided 660,000 units, including schools, hospitals, playgrounds, and green spaces in 21 newly built cities, serving more than 3 million citizens.
Verdict. For being an outstanding example of community-driven change to eradicate extreme poverty in Kenya’s urban slums.
Focusing on the most vulnerable slum residents, including women and children, SHOFCO supported 2.4 million people in 2020 by providing services such as WASH, health clinics, and resources to combat gender-based violence.
Verdict. For its innovative housing provision project benefiting low- and middle-income residents in Baoji City.
By incorporating the latest green and low-carbon development concepts into its projects, the city has provided housing for 253,000 low- and middle-income residents and developed 13 residential complexes with 29,300 apartments, providing residents with equitable access to public facilities and community services.
Verdict. For organizing three World Cleanup Days (WCD) to address the global waste crisis and reduce carbon emissions.
Through deep dedication and innovative thinking, LDIW has developed a global network across 164 countries addressing the global waste crisis and reducing carbon emissions. By engaging five percent of the population in pilot countries, it has built critical momentum to take action and catalyze solutions for sustainable development.
This article was written by Luciana Truffa. The translation is powered by AI.
