Celebrate your Local Jane Jacobs aims at (i) acknowledging women left a lasting impact on their communities and livelihoods; (ii) decolonizing the narrative that tends to glorify leaders of the developed world and have less focus on equally important women in the Global South.
In the realm of urban development and community building, renowned figures like Jane Jacobs and William Whyte have led an indelible mark on the discipline. However, it is imperative to acknowledge that their insights, while invaluable, often hail from a context that may not fully encapsulate the diverse challenges faced by communities in the Global South.
The initiative seeks to complement existing recognition efforts by placing a spotlight on the local leaders – particularly women in the Global South – who navigate distinct and intricate challenges on the field. As Habiba Eid in Ismailia, these women dedicate themselves to supporting communities in urban, rural, and tribal regions.
The disparities arise when the mandates of local and central governments clash with the genuine needs of the communities they serve. In the Global South, women leaders encounter complex scenarios where urban development and infrastructure initiatives may not align with the fundamental necessities of the community.
For instance, Habiba Eid’s impactful work in various cities and villages in Ismailia epitomises the essence of our initiative. Her story sheds light on the crucial role that these leaders play in bridging the gap between official mandates and the grassroots reality.
Through this initiative, we aim to rectify the narrative imbalance by acknowledging and celebrating the women leaders of the Global South who bring a nuanced and contextually rich perspective to community development. Their stories and contributions are essential in informing and shaping the discipline with a focus on people’s livelihoods and urban environments.
Amir Gohar, PhD. FHEA. AMLI. 