How can cities be Green Harbours of Hope in times of crisis? On April 27th, leading up to the Malmö ICLEI World Congress, two elected officials and a civil society representative from ICLEI Member Malmö (Sweden) and Cascais (Portugal), reflected on how their cities are stepping up to receive an influx of refugees from the Ukraine and how migration is intrinsically linked with sustainability.
Cities are on the front line of reacting to global crises and displacement
From past and ongoing conflicts, ICLEI Members Malmö and Cascais have a history of welcoming refugees, the City of Cascais prefering to call them guests. Cities must be ready to open their doors to more guests, as Malmö’s Deputy Mayor, Sedat Arif, explains. Displacement due to climate change impacts - sea level rise, resource scarcity and resulting armed conflict, to name a few factors - is a saddening reality in the face of climate change.
Despite these challenges, local governments are well-positioned to connect with people on the ground, according to Councillor Joana Balsemão from Cascais. Using local connections allows cities to first handle the immediate humanitarian crisis and then lean into strategic work to build back better.
Behind every number is a human being
In Malmö, the Skåne Stadsmission is providing services such as healthcare, counselling, a social food store and clothing for people of all ages and backgrounds, including refugees and others who are experiencing poverty, homelessness, or even loneliness. Lena Wetterskog from the Stadsmission, reminds all of the important reality that “behind every number is a living human being”. The Mission’s ‘Living room’ for Ukrainian Refugees - a common space for meeting, talking and receiving guidance - is an example of recognising this human connection.
The city and civil society are stronger together
In Cascais, city workers and volunteers are teaming up to send out humanitarian aid to the Ukraine and to settle arriving refugees. The arrivals are provided housing, school spots for children, and other efforts to help them feel at home. Meanwhile, the crisis has highlighted deeper challenges of gentrification and mobility for both refugees and locals in Cascais and Malmö. Both cities see this connection as an incentive to address these structural issues for more inclusive and sustainable cities.
The need (and challenges) of integrating refugee inclusion and environmental sustainability
A refugee-inclusive city is also an inclusive and green city for all, according to Deputy Mayor Sedat Arif. Growing cities need to be designed for people friendly mobility, green spaces, and affordable housing. Public parks, in particular, are valuable open spaces for connecting people. Good integration in particular requires innovation, compassionate citizens, and partnerships between local civil society and government. Lena Wetterskog explained that collaboration between different sectors is needed to keep people from falling through the social security net, by connecting their knowledge on refugees, inclusiveness, and sustainable societies.
The challenge remains to continue innovating for sustainable cities while handling a more immediate crisis of resettling refugees. Want more resources on the fundamental relationship between green and just cities and inspiration from others who are leading the way? ICLEI Europe’s Sustainable Just Cities platform offers a wide range of resources on the topic.
Missed the session? Watch the webinar recording on Youtube.