The City in the 21st Century: Celebrating the Reflective Practitioner featuring Enrique Peñalosa Londoño

The Penn Institute for Urban Research (Penn IUR) and Penn Press hosted an insightful conversation with Enrique Peñalosa Londoño, the former mayor of Bogotá, Colombia, who is renowned for his transformative and sustainable urban planning initiatives. This event, marking Penn IUR’s 20th anniversary, provided a platform for Peñalosa to share his book and research on urban equality and innovation, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of city design, social equity, and public transport.

Peñalosa opened the conversation by discussing what equality looks like in cities. He talked about the equality that cities can and should spearhead: meeting as equals in public spaces, equality of quality of life, and democratic equality. He also shared his time as mayor, reflecting on his work to reimagine Bogotá’s infrastructure, including turning private country clubs or empty lots into public parks. He emphasized that an advanced city is one that makes green spaces, waterfronts, and other infrastructure both publicly accessible but also beautiful for everyone and anyone. Peñalosa spoke about the environmental classism in some cities—the dangers of excluding people from their right to the earth and its environment.

He also highlighted the groundbreaking bus system in Bogotá, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network, and the importance of making streets and public transportation accessible to all citizens, regardless of their economic background. Peñalosa’s inspiring vision underlined the need for a more equal society in order to have better cities.

Following Peñalosa’s remarks, a distinguished panel of urban planners and leaders offered their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in shaping equitable cities. The panelists included Judith Rodin, former president of the University of Pennsylvania; Manny Diaz, former mayor of Miami; Richard Freeland, former president of Northeastern University; and Eleanor Sharpe, urban planner and former Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Susan Watcher, Co-Director of the Penn Institute for Urban Research, facilitated this conversation.

Diaz talked about his time as mayor of Miami, working to revitalize the economy and support the citizens of Miami. Rodin spoke about being president of an urban university and the importance of institutions being role models of engagement and meaningful contributions to the city they reside in. Rodin shared that urban universities have the economic power to support the local neighborhoods, centralize communities, and collaborate. Freeland highlighted how Northeastern University could work towards truly transforming itself as an urban university—developing an urban-central curriculum, contributing to affordable housing in Boston, and elevating Northeastern's national rankings. Sharpe highlighted the lack of equality in urban planning and how, as planners, there are ways to look inside and reflect on how to reimagine the industries and systems that were not set up equally or equitably.

​​The discussion also celebrated Penn IUR’s "City in the 21st Century" book series with Penn Press, which addresses current urban challenges and long-term global issues. Panelists engaged in a thoughtful conversation about the future of cities, the role of urban universities and their neighborhoods, and the importance of innovative, sustainable approaches that prioritize the people and the environment.