From crisis to radical change
Post COVID-19 Urban Futures webinar series - No. 1
Robert Biel
The focus of this webinar is on how the virus situation has changed the way we would otherwise have conceived the transition to sustainability.
A year ago there was resistance to activists’ call to declare an emergency, and now everyone suddenly accepts that there is one; there is a recognition that the sectors which sustain life are the foundation of any socio-economic system, so maybe we can officially write off neo-liberalism; there is a recognition that the issue is one for international co-operation, so maybe we can escape the evil dichotomy between corporate globalisation and Right-wing nationalism; there will have to be a massive stimulus package, and we can begin to insist that address on a Green New Deal-type restructuring; we suddenly have the thing which seemed unattainable, i.e. a drastic slashing of emissions and pollution, so the challenge is to carry this forward; the notion of resilience has now become the central criterion of everything, and this faculty can only be anchored in, and diffused throughout, society.
This webinar will provide an important focus for the link between social equity and environmental sustainability.
Speaker
Dr Robert Biel
This webinar is part of our Post COVID-19 Urban Futures series. More info here (link).
About the COVID-19 Urban Futures series
COVID-19 is a massive game changer in all spheres of life: Are we ready to imagine a better post COVID world? The Post COVID-19 Urban Futures series will feature written blogs, webinar events and video outputs reflecting on the impact of COVID-19 on cities.
The series of 60min webinars to imagine the future in light of this world-changing pandemic. This is an opportunity for academics, students, professionals and the general public to reflect on what the world might look like and what we can do to share its direction towards a more just outcome.