University and local territory. The “BUM” as an opportunity for USR

University and local territory. The “BUM” as an opportunity for USR Universidad y entorno local. El BUM como estrategia RSU Brussels, 9-10 November 2017 European Social Responsibility Days (#EUSRdays) Dra. Isabel Ruiz Mora | [email protected] Faculty of Communication. University of Malaga Project: PPIT.UMA.B1.2017/25. Participación ciudadana 2.0, políticas públicas locales y estrategias de comunicación: el recorrido ciudadano para democratizar las instituciones. Funded by: I Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia Universidad de Málaga. Introduction •In the last 50 years environmental issues have played a part in citizens’ concerns and protests and these issues have played a greater role in political agendas (Levy and Zint, 2013; Dalton, Recchia and Rohrschneider, 2003). •As result, grassroots community resistance emerged in response to practices, policies, and conditions that residents have judged to be unfair or illegal (Bullard and Johnson, 2000, p.557). Dra. Isabel Ruiz Mora Málaga (Spain) •Citizens in 2015 demanded (and still are) the local government to redesign an abandoned and contaminated piece of land to create an open and green park in one of the most populated suburbs of Europe, instead of the idea of building more apartments blocks, shopping mall, … (La Opinion de Malaga, 2016). •Less than 1 tree per resident in 2015 and 25.000 residents don’t have a direct access to green areas (Noticias21.es, 2015) •They want a consult but City Council doesn’t accept the consult as “legal requirement” to decide what to do with this space Dra. Isabel Ruiz Mora Source: www.google.com Dra. Isabel Ruiz Mora In 2013 citizens in Istanbul, led by Taksim Solidarity Group, organised various protests to save Gezi Park from corporate and government speculation (The Guardian, 2014). More info: Gezi Park infographics Photograph: Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images (from The Guardian) Background: Gezi Park Dra. Isabel Ruiz Mora For Mücella Yapici, 63, architect and founding member of the activist group Taksim Solidarity, who stands accused of starting a "criminal organisation" and faces 29 years in jail, the Gezi protests were only the beginning: "A new solidarity was born in June, and it's not over. The most important thing is that the people re-learned how to raise their voices against the crimes and injustices that are being committed against them. Gezi was a lesson in democracy” (The Guardian, 2014). Photograph: Ozan Kose/AFP Dra. Isabel Ruiz Mora Lessons learned from Gezi Park (The Guardian, 2014) "Gezi fundamentally changed the foundations and the language of politics. This is new because Gezi doesn't suggest any power practices. Quite the contrary – Gezi is a certain outlook on life, it's the practice of judging power. It suggests ethical guidelines for all of us.“ "Gezi created an awareness of urban renewal processes, of solidarity with victims of gentrification and displacement, and awareness for our city. We don't accept any more that decisions concerning our living spaces are simply forced down our throats”. Dra. Isabel Ruiz Mora PLATAFORMA CIUDADANA BOSQUE URBANO DE MÁLAGA Objective: to have an urban forest in a crowded suburb (177.000 m2) instead of 4 skyscrapers and a big shopping mall Public: demand participation (consult) City Council: Consult is not legal (other ideas)  It is not necessary Public: local citizens, local media, local politicians. Strategies: http://bosqueurbanomalaga.org/ •social media activism (proponent site, Change.org, Facebook, Twitter, own brand) •media impact (press release, interviews, meeting with other parties, demonstrations, open meetings) •allies with the opposition, academics, experts, NGO get involved other citizens and local businesses (meetings, face to face contact, conferences, …) •Not legal action taken Dra. Isabel Ruiz Mora Source: http://bosqueurbanomalaga.org/ Dra. Isabel Ruiz Mora USR •Dialogue with publics/stakeholders (using participation channels)  Public relations as a social activity (Ihlen, Fredriksson & Van Ruler, 2009) •Local territory/ environmental issues are an opportunity to achieve USR goals (Social and environmental impacts) •Annual report 2016/2017 Dra. Isabel Ruiz Mora Thanks for your attention isabelrui[email protected] @isabelrmora Change.org: Por un bosque urbano en los terrenos de la antigua Repsol – Málaga Photograph: THINKSTOCK Dra. Isabel Ruiz Mora