For this episode of the Impact & Beyond podcast, I’m joined by my friend Jens Aerts, an experienced urban planner with a passion for inclusive and liveable cities.
Jens is based in Addis Ababa and brings a wealth of experience from his work with the World Bank, UNICEF, city governments, and many others. He has spent is career embedding urban planning into social development projects around the world.
In our conversation, we explore why urban planning is not just about infrastructure, but a powerful tool for shaping cities that are inclusive, sustainable, and liveable, particularly as urbanisation accelerates across Africa. In rapidly growing cities like Addis, planning must keep pace to ensure that all residents, including the most vulnerable, have access to safe, connected, and accessible urban environments.
Drawing on his experience in Brussels, Barcelona, Pakistan, and Ethiopia, Jens reflects on what it takes to design cities that serve all people. He also shares insights and advice for those interested in entering the field. His key message? Walk the talk!
If you’re interested in urban equity, social development, and the future of our cities, listen to the episode, share your thoughts, and be part of the conversation!
#Impact #UrbanPlanning #Urbanisation #LiveableCities #SaferCities #Corridors #LocalDevelopment #InclusiveDevelopment #Addis #Barcelona #Brussels #Pakistan
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