Tessy Britton: Why cities of the future need to be built on practical everyday participation

Countless examples across the world show us that living in multicultural neighborhoods frequently results in people living side-by-side but in parallel communities. This deprives us of the opportunity to build shared lives, focus on the many things we have in common, and work together on the challenges we experience close to home. We can do all this while treasuring our own cultures and backgrounds.

Many people want to be part of creating cohesive communities, but need and want fresh opportunities to connect and build vital understanding and friendship. These opportunities don't emerge spontaneously. New bridging social infrastructures, specifically designed to include as many people as possible, are necessary. Creating practical opportunities built into the fabric of everyday life can be made inclusive and regular rather than extraordinary or infrequent occurrences for a select few.

Listen in as we hear from Ashoka Fellow Tessy Britton in the UK, creator of Participatory City and the Every One Every Day project. For over 14 years, she has designed, tested, and refined this inclusive approach with communities. Tessy will share the underpinning principles we can all apply in the places we live – to make them more creative, resilient, and welcoming for all.

Speaking with Tessy is Sascha Haselmayer, an Ashoka Fellow in Berlin.

*Recorded live on April 3, 2024.

Welcome Change is Ashoka's news and insight series - short conversations with the world's leading changemakers on what works, what's next, and the role we can play.

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