1266 | 867 | Caring City: Transforming the city to sustain Life

The concept of care has become popular in recent years, coinciding with the rise of feminism, though academic study in the area dates back to the eighties. Care is now a recurrent topic on political agendas and also on urban agendas. However, care is still feminised_x000D_
Beyond its feminisation, care in itself can generate inequality. This situation is consistent across the board, across all care-related positions, including workers in the care industry and carers of dependent people or people with functional diversity who look after themselves or others._x000D_
The precarious nature of care is closely linked to its spatial and temporal dimension. The lack of social appreciation for care translates as public policies that do not cover the needs deriving from sustainability of life when, for example, public spaces are designed, mobility networks and timetables are organised, and cultural, social, sport or leisure programmes are drawn up._x000D_
Care is heterogeneous and continuous. There is no one kind of childhood or old age, just like there is no standard type of dependency or disability. Therefore, the qualities of the space designed to accompany care must take this diversity into account. Putting care on the political and urban agenda means emphasising both the precise conditions required for it to be provided and the need for radical transformation, in which responsibility for care goes from being assigned mainly to women in the private sphere to becoming part of a social, collective and community commitment._x000D_
At Col·lectiu Punt 6, we have been calling for a change in urban model for years. We want a caring city: a city that cares for us, cares for our environment, lets us care for ourselves and enables us to care for others. _x000D_

Blanca Valdivia
Col·lectiu Punt 6

ID Abstract: 867