Equality and the City
Urban Innovations for All Citizens
by Enrique Peñalosa Londoño
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Pub Date Apr 16 2024 | Archive Date Jan 16 2024
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Description
In Equality and the City, Enrique Peñalosa Londoño draws on his experience as mayor of Bogotá, Colombia, as well as his many years of international work as a lecturer and consultant, to share his perspective on the issues facing developing cities, especially sustainable transportation and equal access to public space.
As mayor of Bogotá, Peñalosa Londoño initiated development of the TransMilenio Rapid Bus Transit system, among the largest and most comprehensive public transit systems in the Global South, which carries 2.5 million passengers a day along dedicated bus lanes, bike paths, and a rapid metro line. The system emphasizes accessibility for the entire population. Peñalosa Londoño’s efforts to create public space were similarly ambitious: over the course of his two terms, more than a thousand public parks were created or improved. Underlying these policies was a conviction of how cities should be—a compelling humanistic philosophy of sustainable urbanism. For Peñalosa Londoño, city design is not just engineering; it defines human happiness, dignity, and equality. “An advanced city is not one where the poor own a car,” Peñalosa writes, “but one where the rich use public transport.”
Equality and the City provides practical criteria for conceiving and constructing different and better cities, describes the obstacles that are confronted when doing so, and identifies ways to overcome them.
Enrique Peñalosa Londoño is a former two-term mayor of Bogotá, Colombia, and an internationally respected urban thinker.
Advance Praise
"Enrique Peñalosa Londoño has been a powerful advocate for making better cities; cities that embrace the human experience and equality for all citizens. As Mayor of Bogotá, Peñalosa Londoño made that city inviting and accessible to people of all incomes through transformative achievements in public transport, green infrastructure, and neighborhood civic institutions. In this brilliant book, Peñalosa Londoño demonstrates how a vibrant pedestrian realm is at the heart of a healthier, more livable and truly equitable city."
—Amanda M. Burden, former New York City Planning Commissioner
"For the last twenty years, Enrique Peñalosa Londoño has tirelessly campaigned for equitable cities. His message has been transformational at many levels, not just in his native Bogotá, but in cities worldwide. This book offers a charismatic mayor’s insights into how a city’s DNA can be shaped to promote greater social inclusion, environmental equity, and human well-being at a time when cities are at the frontline of planetary change."
—Ricky Burdett, London School of Economics
"There is no one with a more complete and realistic vision of how our cities should develop to achieve a better country than Enrique Peñalosa Londoño. Few have such clear ideas for improving our society. In Bogotá, he demonstrated the tremendous importance of public space as the only place where we all are equal. After his first term as mayor of our capital, most mayors in Colombia understood the importance of quality pedestrian spaces and public buildings of dignity and meaning. In this book, Peñalosa Londoño presents himself as he is: an idealist who keeps dreaming of a better city and a more just and egalitarian society."
—Daniel Bermúdez, Colombian Biennial National Architecture Prize–winning architect
"It is a saying that every city planning problem has been solved somewhere. The key is to find out where and combine all the good solutions. Bogotá and the work of Enrique Peñalosa Londoño have been offering inspiring solutions for decades, and in this excellent book, it seems that all the good solutions have finally come together. Based on Peñalosa Londoño’s unique experiences during his terms as mayor of Bogotá, as well as his first-hand studies in cities all over the world, Equality and the City is a fabulous handbook for twenty-first-century cities everywhere."
—Jan Gehl, author of Cities for People
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781512825701 |
| PRICE | $39.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 320 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Tobi M, Reviewer
Enrique Peñalosa Londoño's new book, Equality and the City stands as a profound manifesto for sustainable urbanism, drawing from his tenure as mayor of Bogotá, Colombia, and his extensive international experience. Through a meticulous blend of case studies, practical criteria, and philosophical reflections, Peñalosa offers a compelling vision for cities that prioritise equality, accessibility, and human dignity.
I’ve been super interested in urban planning and development for many years now, and have read quite a lot on the subject so I was really looking forward to reading this- and I wasn’t disappointed!
Peñalosa's narrative is anchored in his transformative initiatives as mayor, notably the development of the TransMilenio Rapid Bus Transit system. This system, a hallmark of his administration, exemplifies his commitment to providing efficient, inclusive transportation solutions. With dedicated bus lanes, bike paths, and a rapid metro line, TransMilenio accommodates 2.5 million passengers daily, reaffirming Peñalosa's belief that true urban advancement lies in accessible public transport, not private car ownership.
Central to Peñalosa's ethos is the creation of vibrant public spaces, a cornerstone of urban equality. Throughout his tenure, he spearheaded the establishment and enhancement of over a thousand public parks, fostering communal interaction and recreation. These initiatives underscore his belief that city design transcends mere engineering, since it shapes the very fabric of human happiness and societal equity.
Equality and the City seamlessly weaves together Peñalosa's experiences, insights, and aspirations, offering a comprehensive framework for reimagining urban landscapes. His prose, crammed with information, retains a captivating quality that propels the reader through a rich collection of ideas and observations. Despite often repetitions, which is my main and only complaint about this book, Peñalosa's arguments remain cogent and persuasive, augmented by compelling case studies that elucidate the practical implementation of his principles.
One of the book's most interesting aspects is its emphasis on inclusivity and social equity. Peñalosa's vision transcends mere infrastructure; it embraces a holistic approach to city planning that prioritises the needs of all citizens, irrespective of socioeconomic status.
Equality and the City serves as a rallying cry for policymakers, urban planners, and activists alike. Peñalosa's pragmatic yet visionary outlook offers a roadmap for effecting tangible change in the built environment. By highlighting the obstacles to sustainable urbanism and proposing actionable solutions, he empowers readers to become catalysts for positive urban renewal.
