Cities 1.5

Lessons in Wellbeing Economics: Engaging local communities to bring Academic Principles into Urban Practice

May 21, 2024

Amanda Janoo, Economics & Policy Lead at Wellbeing Economy Alliance, discusses implementing wellbeing economy theories in city practices. Rachel Lawrence from Centre for Thriving Places advocates for holistic urban policies prioritizing human and planetary well-being. The podcast explores examples of cities pioneering sustainable approaches and citizen engagement for local economic development.

50:20

Episode guests

Amanda Janoo

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Quick takeaways

Cities are transitioning to a well-being economy that prioritizes human and planetary well-being over profits and unsustainable growth.

Local communities are empowered to co-create transformative economic changes through collaborative efforts and citizen participation.

Deep dives

Principles of Well-Being Economics and Ecological Economics

Prioritizing human and planetary needs over unsustainable growth, leaders in cities are aligning with ecological economics principles to drive global change. The commitment to well-being, exemplified by Professor Peter Victor's exploration of Hermann Daley's ecological economics, underscores the shift away from unfettered neoliberalism.

Introduction

3min

Redefining Prosperity: Cities Leading the Way in Well-being Economics

19min

Exploring the Intersection of Job Compensation, Social Contribution, and Economic System Reform

4min

Prioritizing Human and Planetary Well-being in City Planning

16min

Community Engagement for Local Economic Development

5min

Exploring Urban Leadership in the Context of Wellbeing Economics

3min

This past January, our editorial counterparts at the the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy published an issue dedicated to Ecological Economics; this episode showcases two experts in wellbeing economics who contributed their knowledge to that edition.

Image Credit: Photo by Milly Vueti on Unsplash

Featured guests:
Amanda Janoo is the Economics & Policy Lead at the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, a global collective striving to deliver systemic economic change which prioritises human and ecological wellbeing. These concepts are outlined in the article she co-authored, “Policy Design for a Wellbeing Economy – Lessons from Four City Pilots”, which explores four very different cities that have put wellbeing economy theories into real world practice.

Rachel Laurence is the Deputy Director for The Centre for Thriving Places, which offers strategic support, research, training and evidence-based measurement tools that put the interests and wellbeing of people, place, and planet centre stage. She was the former lead for Economic Development for Barking and Dagenham council, and has acted as advisor for Barking and Dagenham Giving. She is also the co-author of “Wellbeing Economy Ideas for Cities: Lessons for Implementation.”

Links
Herman Daly’s Great Debates: The enduring vitality of Ecological Economics - Featuring Peter Jackson, Cities 1.5 podcast
Beyond Growth: How cities can put people and planet first - Featuring Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Cities 1.5 podcast
Dedicim.Barcelona
Bullshit Jobs - Dave Graeber, Strike Magazine
Measuring What

If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/

Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/

Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield.

Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/

Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/

Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/