The site will blend news, comment, online discussions and analysis with the Guardian's unique open approach to digital storytelling, say the publishers. It will provide an open platform for critical discussion and debate about the issues facing the world's cities, including housing and transport, public space and infrastructure, planning and governance, and energy and security – along with the forces of change that can't always be planned for or prevented.
For launch, the Guardian has unveiled both a series examining how six cities around the world have attempted to rebuild after natural disasters, and a network of new urban voices who live in cities all over the globe. Guardian Cities will also feature regular contributions from established experts, including the Guardian’s architecture and design critic Oliver Wainwright, as well as a wide range of other content.
As part of the partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, a dedicated section within Guardian Cities will focus on the issue of urban resilience, the ability of a city to prepare for, withstand, and rebound more quickly and effectively from acute shocks and chronic stresses. This section will provide a space for relevant stories, lessons learned, and best practices related to urban resilience, a subject of special interest to the Rockefeller Foundation.
Mike Herd, editor of Guardian Cities, said: “The world is urbanising at an extraordinary rate, and with over half of the world's population now living in a city, more and more people around the globe are directly affected by a huge number of diverse issues which we’ll be highlighting on Guardian Cities. We’re excited to be able to apply our fantastic global resources to this rich new editorial area, and aim to create a global hub that will hopefully help to improve the lives of poor and vulnerable people in urban communities.”
“In our dynamic and interconnected world, a shock to one city can spread across the globe, and the urban poor are most vulnerable to these impacts," said Rockefeller Foundation Vice President, Global Communications Neill Coleman. "The Rockefeller Foundation is proud to support Guardian Cities to increase the dialogue and reporting around the necessity of building urban resilience, both as a means for cities to bounce back from disaster, and as a lever to creating greater economic well-being for people around the world.”
