Business, governments and rights: who gets to shape the future of cities?
As the world becomes increasingly urbanised, cities are not only economic and innovation hubs but also critical arenas for upholding—or undermining—human rights.
On Monday 2 July IHRB is hosting a webinar exploring the intersection of human rights, business, and urban governance.
From housing and labor to digital rights and public services, human rights obligations apply not only at the national level but also sub-nationally—making cities powerful but often overlooked actors in shaping rights-based development.
Together with global experts Annabel Short (It's Material, IHRB Research Fellow) and Salil Tripathi (IHRB's Senior Advisor on Global Issues) we will unpack the roles and responsibilities of businesses involved in shaping the urban environment:
- How city-level powers like urban planning, procurement, and local regulation can influence corporate conduct
- The impact of sectors like finance, construction, architecture, and technology on how cities are built and experienced
- The role of business in supporting (or undermining) urban resilience and climate goals
- Risks and challenges, from corruption and underfunded services to flashy “vanity” projects that ignore local needs.
This conversation will highlight both the promises and pitfalls of urban development and ask: Who really gets to shape the future of our cities?
Join us for a thought-provoking session on how we can ground cities in justice, accountability, and resilience.
