Diana Rodríguez Franco - The Future of Urban Equity Starts with Care

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we're joined by Diana Rodríguez Franco, Special Advisor on Gender and Diversity at the Inter-American Development Bank and former Secretary for Women's Affairs in Bogotá. With nearly two decades of experience in gender equality and human rights, Diana has been at the forefront of rethinking urban spaces to serve women better. One of her most impactful contributions is Bogotá's Care Blocks, a groundbreaking initiative that reimagines city infrastructure by centralizing essential services such as childcare, education, healthcare, and job training. By bringing these resources together in one place, Care Blocks free women from the time constraints of unpaid care work, opening up new opportunities for employment, education, and personal growth. Diana shares how designing cities with women in mind doesn't just improve their lives; it fosters safer, more inclusive, and more equitable urban spaces for all.