We won the fight against
poverty.
Poverty has been eradicated, the poor erased, disposed
of.
We won, the poor lost.
It wasn't easy at first, understanding how to
tackle the issue.
Many embarked upon the crusade against poverty, many
failed.
Because for centuries governments thought that the enemy
was the system.
Capitalism, neoliberalism, gentrification, predatory tourism.
What had been ignored is the simplicity and
elegance of the equation.
If you really want to win the war
against poverty, you eliminate the poor.
And so we did, with subtlety but intent.
In a time where urbanisation has reached its
peak, it has been only too natural to
intervene, starting from the city, shaping its structure
to influence behaviour.
We have used urban planning as a picklock
that has allowed us to unhinge the sick
social fabric of aggregation.
We unleashed urban demons through unpleasant design, contraptions
designed to discourage sociability, the inescapable appeal of
uncomfortable benches, anti-homeless spikes, razor-sharp sidewalks,
cement blocks in the urban spaces designed for
social gatherings and colonised by the poor.
Even before being smart, our cities became radical,
wiping out those guilty of having an aptitude
for gathering without consumption.
Our smart city became a metropolis of exclusion.
The space for non-profitability is not contemplated.
The spirit of aggregation demonised.
WORKISM IS THE ONLY RELIGION.
Thank you, Martin.
Excellent work.
You gave us a vivid reconstruction of the
time of the military regime of hostile architecture.
You transmitted a real feeling of what it
must have been like during those dark past
years.
You demonstrated excellent research skills.
I believe that it is important to bear
testimony for the young generations to show how
easy it is for a society to fall
into a reign of terror.
It is only a few decades from us,
but it is light years away from where
we are now.
From our society that prioritises health and wellbeing.
A community that is constantly reflecting on what
an equitable, healthy and climate-safe approach to
wellbeing looks like for cities.
Thank you, Martin.
And let me close this gathering with a
thought for the founding mothers.
Those who sacrificed everything for giving us this
truly green, resilient and equitable city to live
in will never be complacent.
And now please, if you want to follow
me into the garden, we have prepared quite
a feast of biodiverse and sustainable foods and
drinks.
Follow me.
Thank you again.