Hosted by the Nordic Centre, the Sino‑Nordic workshop on “The Right to the City and Urban Development” took place on 23 October, followed by an open summary session on 24 October. The event attracted more than 30 participants. Four experts from the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) and Fudan University presented research related to urban development and rights in contemporary cities.
Insightful presentations
Professor Bård A. Andreassen spoke about urban development, inclusivity, and the role of stakeholders. He emphasized that urban spaces should be inclusive, accessible and democratically governed, and argued that stakeholder participation and human‑rights due diligence can be mechanisms for more inclusive economic development in cities.
Professor Chunrong Liu (Fudan University) presented research on spontaneous order and urban governance. He reflected on community building in post‑reform urban China and proposed an expanded conception of community as an embedded spontaneous order, considering its implications for a rights‑conscious approach to urban development.
Professor Peris Jones discussed legal practices in sub‑Saharan Africa, showing how legality is sometimes invoked in ways that undermine rights, exacerbate social exclusion, and deepen urban inequality. He argued that law in late‑developing contexts should be understood in relation to these dynamics.
Dr. Lin Chen explored how older adults with mild cognitive impairment perceive daily out‑of‑home mobility and adapt to changing mobility conditions in urban China. Her study highlights the need for urban renewal projects to integrate the needs of older adults with different levels of cognitive and mobility functioning to ensure their rights to community participation and city life.
Positive feedback
The academic workshop received positive responses and thoughtful comments from the audience. The discussions resonated with principles in the World Charter for the Right to the City, which advocates non‑discrimination, equitable governance, and recognition of the social function of human settlements.