The role of public space is a key theme of the JWP. The core question is how public space can be recognized and used as an asset to foster equitable economic growth in cities. At WUF9, the JWP dedicated a network event to discuss with Cities Alliance members and partners how public space can be seen as driver of Equitable Economic Growth. It applied two major perspectives on public space in a city: the lens of local authorities and informal street vendors.
Building on the experience of JWP’s diverse membership, the event highlighted viable strategies and policy approaches available to cities to leverage the asset of public space as an enabler of economic and livelihood opportunities for all. Doing so, the event contributed to the operationalisation of the New Urban Agenda's commitment to promote “safe, inclusive, accessible, green and quality public spaces as drivers of social and economic development, in order to sustainably leverage their potential.”
It also incorporates key messages from a discussion paper produced by Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) on behalf of the JWP, titled “Inclusive Public Spaces for Informal Livelihoods.”
