inclusive city marker system

Cities are at the forefront of community support programs from provision of transport services and community infrastructure, to running schools, health centres and cultural programs. Ensuring inclusivity in the design and implementation of city programs is therefore essential to provide services for all residents. Cities across the region have designed policies and programs to address issues for many vulnerable parts of their communities. Identifying, recognizing and sharing these good practices is at the heart of the APCAD Social Inclusion Marker System.

The marker system is structured in themes as follows: Spatial inclusion, Social inclusion, Cultural inclusion, Economic inclusion, and Political inclusion. The themes are based on a broad understanding of the notion of Social Inclusion of all residents while paying more attention to vulnerable groups. Within each theme are sub-themes, each of which has indicators reflecting Structural, Process and Outcome dimensions. The indicators have a human rights, inclusion and non-discrimination focus, and include both quantitative and qualitative data on the individual and municipal level.

In 2021 APCAD undertook a study to identify what could be measured, how if could be measured and how this might be recognized. In 2022, this will enter a pilot phase to collect data on inclusive practices, measure these and further refine the Marker System.