UL WEEK SYMPOSIUM When Paths Cross: Perspectives on Equity and Diversity

For this event, we aim to create a space for meaningful dialogue where diverse perspectives on urban experiences, practice, and theory come together in contrast, highlighting the crucial role of equity and diversity. The event is designed to introduce students to various approaches and challenges in shaping inclusive urban environments, while encouraging critical discussions on social justice, urban development, landscape, policy and design.

Urgency of the Topic

The world is facing critical challenges related to social justice, migration, inequality, and climate change, where vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected. These pressing issues require collaborative efforts between universities, industry, and government (the Triple Helix) to create inclusive and equitable urban spaces. Yet, this collaboration does not occur in isolation. It is shaped by the broader context of civil society and the environment, which wrap around and influence the Triple Helix, ensuring that urban development reflects the needs of communities and is responsive to ecological concerns. Recognizing this interconnectedness is crucial for addressing urban challenges holistically and equitably.

Triple helix within society and environment

Event Purpose

• To introduce first-year Urbanism and Landscape students at TU Delft to the diverse ways in which urban planning, landscape and design intersect with equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

• To foster critical discussions on how the interaction between academia, industry, and government can address these challenges, while being responsive to the broader needs of civil society and environmental sustainability.

• To highlight contrasting approaches (e.g., top-down vs. bottom-up) and explore how they contribute to more just and resilient urban development.

• To open up the discussion within an international environment of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at TU Delft.

What We Aim to Accomplish

• Equip students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to approach urban planning with a socially just and environmentally responsible lens, understanding the role of the Triple Helix within this broader context.

• Encourage students to think critically about how civil society and environmental concerns influence the collaboration between universities, industry, and government, and how these collaborations can either amplify or overlook marginalized communities.

• Foster a collaborative learning environment where students reflect on diverse perspectives, culminating in a shared understanding of how equity, diversity, and environmental sustainability are interconnected in urban development.

• Demonstrate the impact of context on urban approaches, showing how different identities and environmental conditions can make individuals more vulnerable or more empowered in city planning processes.