International Right to the City ManifestoInternational Right to the City Manifesto

Each and every one of us has a right to live equitably, freely, and happily in a city. Housing is not a subject of investment but a space for physical and spiritual rest. Every member of a city should have a right to equal housing. The UN and different governments around the world must guarantee the public nature of a city. We recommend creating different manifestos depending on your city through workshops. The following are our demands.
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    First, a city with the right to housing.

    First, a city with the right to housing.

  1. Provide an active solution that prevents the skyrocketing costs of purchasing and renting housing.
  2. Regulate real estate investments. Real estate business rarely creates jobs while its increasing prices lower the quality of life for many urban dwellers.
  3. Offer a solution to prevent excessive rent increase by landlords.
  4. Extend the minimum rental period to 5 years so that renters can stay safely without fear of eviction.
  5. End the criminalization of homelessness and increase support for everyone in need of housing.
  6. End reckless urban sprawl and redevelopment.
  7. Support the renovation of aged buildings.
  8. Increase the public rental housing by at least 40%.
  9. Diversify urban housing.
    10. Second, a city with the right to work.

    Second, a city with the right to work.

  10. Strengthen tenant protection so that commercial tenants can run their businesses without fear of eviction.
  11. Make an active effort to create sustainable jobs.
  12. Find ways to protect unique industries and historical businesses from gentrification.
    13. Third, a city where citizens take ownership.

    Third, a city where citizens take ownership.

  13. Stop outsourcing urban planning to private companies and instead build systems allowing citizens and local governments to plan cities together with long-term perspective.
  14. Share information actively about urban development processes with citizens for healthy, transparent urban planning.
    15. Fourth, a city that genuinely cares for the environment, and rejects false sustainability.

    Fourth, a city that genuinely cares for the environment, and rejects false sustainability.

  15. Make every effort to preserve the environment and biodiversity. Neoliberal cities talk about sustainability while lifting height limits, filling in waterfront spaces, and wiping out mountains.
  16. Confront global warming through energy transition and the expansion of green space.
  17. Stop reckless redevelopment and actively support housing retrofits. Primary urban waste comes from the construction industry, and the amount of CO2 generated grows every year.
  18. Secure safe and comfortable places within cities for people to walk and rest.
  19. Create safe cities with preventative measures against environmental pollution and disaster.
    20. Fifth, a city of culture and history.

    Fifth, a city of culture and history.

  20. Respect and preserve everyday peoples’ histories. The lives of all citizens comprise the city’s historical fabric, not merely particular groups.
  21. Create a city where everyone can make art and enjoy their creations.
    22. Sixth, an equitable city.

    Sixth, an equitable city.

  22. Expand wheelchair and stroller accessibility to all buildings, public spaces, and public transportation.
  23. Protect women, the elderly, foreigners, refugees, and LGBTQ people from hate.