From Barcelona to Paris, cities thrive with women in charge. It’s all about sharing public space

‘Ada Colau’s administration reclaimed a million square metres of pedestrian space in Barcelona.’ A stencil graffito dedicated to Colau when she was city mayor. Photograph: Dave Stelfox/The Guardian

According to the UN 68% of the global population will be urban dwellers by mid-century. Urbanisation at this rate, unprecedented in modern times, means cities are facing an equally unprecedented convergence of crises, from a shortage of affordable housing to increased traffic congestion causing pollution, while reducing safety and liveability.

The consequences are exacerbated by the climate emergency bombarding many regions with severe heatwaves, rainfall, flooding and other extreme weather events. While everyone will feel the effects of these changes, the fallout from failing to cater for them is disproportionately felt by the most vulnerable groups.