CIDADES GENTIS: UM PARADIGMA DE INCLUSÃO, SUSTENTABILIDADE E RESILIÊNCIA

Abstract

The growing complexity of contemporary urban dynamics demands a rethinking of how cities are designed, managed, and experienced. This article proposes the concept of "kind cities," grounded in the notion of urban kindness, as a path to fostering more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient urban environments. Urban kindness is understood as a set of practices, policies, and infrastructures that value care, empathy, and cooperation in public spaces. It argues that every urban development can act as an agent of kindness, offering concrete contributions to the community—such as public green spaces, community spaces, green infrastructure, and sustainable drainage solutions. Drawing on case studies of cities such as Tokyo, Copenhagen, Medellín, and Curitiba, as well as specific initiatives in the city of São Paulo, the article demonstrates how incorporating kindness into urban policies and practices can transform social relations and quality of life in urban areas.