Why Our Cities Fail Women? | Nourhan Bassam | HC E 01 | Ruchita Bansal
About this episode
#UrbanPlanning #Urban Design #GenderedCity #TheHumanCity #ruchitabansal Who should be our next guest? Write to us at ruchitabansal.shecity@gmail.com
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Disclaimer: The views shared in this conversation are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Human City Podcast or its host. This content is for informational and educational purposes only.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:32 Transformation of Tirana: From cars to plaza for people
08:31 Challenges of Implementing Pedestrian Spaces
12:14 Car free days: Now vs then
14:08 Prioritizing Walkability Over Car Infrastructure
17:34 Creating Child-Friendly Urban Spaces
24:29 Trading Parking for Playgrounds
29:49 The Role of Schools in Urban Development
33:16 The Importance of Community Engagement and Citizen Feedback
38:18 Budgeting for Public Spaces and Walkability
39:39 Gender Inclusivity in Urban Planning
43:59 The Legacy of Women in Urban Leadership
48:39 Inspiration from Global Cities
50:02 Advice to Indian Cities and Administrators
53:00 Mainstreaming Sustainable Urban Practices: Urban Planning is Political
55:42 Closing Reflections
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About the Episode: What happens when a city decides to put people — not cars — at the heart of urban planning?
In this powerful episode of The Human City Podcast, host Ruchita Bansal speaks with Anuela Ristani, former Deputy Mayor of Tirana, Albania, who led one of Europe’s most ambitious transformations in walkability, child-friendly spaces, and sustainability.
From pedestrianizing Tirana’s central square and car-free Sundays, to building 40 new schools, safe school streets, and neighborhood playgrounds, Anuela shares how political courage and community engagement can reshape a city.
We also explore:
- Why urban planning is political — and why leaders must act boldly.
- How women at the decision-making table change city priorities.
- Lessons for India and other fast-growing cities on avoiding car-centric mistakes.
- Why maximizing public space is the ultimate principle for inclusive cities.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes for a mayor to put walkability and inclusivity at the core of governance, this episode is for you.
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About the Speaker:
Anuela Ristani is one of Europe’s most dynamic city leaders — a passionate advocate for sustainable urban transformation, youth empowerment, and climate action. As Deputy Mayor of Tirana, she oversees the city’s international relations and sustainable development portfolio, helping shape Tirana into one of the greenest, most people-friendly cities in the Balkans.
Before joining the city administration, she served as the Chief of Staff to the Mayor and co-founded the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) — a unique initiative bringing together six Western Balkan countries to build peace, cooperation, and mobility opportunities for young people.
Trained in Strategic Communication and European Studies, Anuela blends the worlds of governance, innovation, and civic engagement to make urban policy relatable and actionable. Her work has been featured in platforms such as UN-Habitat, ITDP, the World Bank, and Urban Future Global Conference.
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About the Host: The Human City Podcast is hosted by Ruchita Bansal, an accomplished urban planner and project management professional with 15+ years of experience. She has led multi-billion-dollar development projects and sustainable mobility programs across India, including her leadership role at the Ayodhya Development Authority. Ruchita is also the founder of SheCity India, a platform for gender-inclusive urban planning, storytelling, and data-driven advocacy.
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About The Human City Podcast: This podcast brings together global voices and local insights to explore how cities can be made more inclusive, sustainable, and human-centered. Each episode uncovers what it takes to design cities that truly work for people. “The Human City Podcast is an initiative of SheCity India — building gender-inclusive, human-centered cities.”