Join us in person at the City Analytics Lab, Basement Anita B. Lawrence Centre West Wing or online via Microsoft teams
Advancing Just Transitions in the Built Environment: A global research project exploring human rights in the green transition
The transition to a low-carbon built environment is essential for mitigating climate change, yet without careful planning, it risks exacerbating socio-economic inequalities. Alejandra Rivera will present the results of the global two-year research project she managed at the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) examining the human rights and social justice implications of climate actions in the built environment. The project was grounded in eight city case studies—Lagos, Prague, Lisbon, Melbourne, Copenhagen, Jakarta, Athens, and Valparaíso.This seminar will present key findings from this study, which explores how urban sustainability efforts can either reinforce or disrupt existing patterns of inequality, displacement, and exclusion. While policies promoting energy-efficient construction and large-scale renovation programmes aim to create greener, more sustainable urban spaces, they also risk driving processes such as "renovictions," "green gentrification," and the exclusion of marginalised communities. This presentation will examine how social equity and climate actions can be mutually reinforcing rather than competing priorities. It will focus on two core themes: the right to housing and spatial justice. The session will be particularly relevant to urban planners, policymakers, researchers, and advocates engaged in housing justice, sustainable development, and urban governance.
Alejandra Rivera
Urbanist and international urban researcher with a focus on social innovation, social urbanism, human rights and social justice in built environments, as well as just transitions. She has a wide range of experience in the private sector, NGOs and international organisations across the world on research and advocacy for just and sustainable cities worldwide. Alejandra holds a Bachelor in International Relations and Economics from Florida International University (USA), a Master in Urban Studies from the 4CITIES Erasmus Mundus international program spanning Belgium, Austria, Denmark and Spain, and post-graduate studies in International Development (Spain) and Just Sustainability Transitions (The Netherlands). She is currently a research assistant at City Futures Research Centre and at Cities Institute at UNSW.
