THE World Urban Forum 9 (WUF9) aerial art project themed “Cities for All” was a collaborative effort involving 500 people at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur.
The event was an artistic interpretation of the World Urban Forum, with the aim of elevating the way in which people think about inclusion around the world and calling for inclusive urban growth and development.
World Enabled (also known as Pineda Foundation), an educational non-profit organisation with a mission to promote the rights and dignity of disabled people, organised this initiative in collaboration with Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) Sentral.
Enthusiastic participants of all ages dressed in colourful T-shirts, with the words “Cities for All” printed on it, waited patiently for the event to start.
Later participants were ushered in by the WUF9 crew to stand, row by row, in the middle of the field to form the phrase “Cities For All” in the form of letters and Braille under the guidance and instruction of Spectral Q Aerial Art artist John Quigley.
Some of the participants remained standing, while others sat down holding blue umbrellas to emphasise the Braille letters.
A drone could be seen flying overhead capturing aerial videos and photos for the memorable moment.
“It is exciting to see here in Kuala Lumpur that the Malaysian government is taking the lead to organise this forum, where you have people coming from other countries declaring that they want cities for everyone, including handicapped people,” said World Enabled president Victor Santiago Pineda in an interview with StarMetro.
“Together, we want to make sure that the cities leave no one behind.
“I am an urban planner, a professor, and a member of the United States Access Board in the United States, but I have travelled to 78 countries to promote inclusion and accessibility.”
Pineda holds a PhD in Urban Planning from the Luskin School for Public Affairs, University of California and also teaches at the university.
“I want the new generation of architecture planners to help create cities that have no barriers. We are yearning for free cities, cities that include everyone and cities that allow us to dream and live our potential,” he said.
“So today, we are joining people from all around the world to transmit the message for inclusion.
“Therefore, we need better laws, better policies and coordinate efforts with global cities. And we want Kuala Lumpur to be among the world’s most accessible cities,” said Pineda.
Quigley was thrilled with the outcome of the event and called it a huge success. “We have more than enough people and we were very excited to be able to partner with the World Urban Run.
“Based on what I see from the images taken, I believe we got a brilliant shot that is going to travel far in social media and other mediums around the world.
“Not only that, we are very honoured to see so many people, including people in wheelchair and numerous blind people participating in the forum today, working together to form a giant human Braille which I do not think anyone has done before,” he said, adding that art was an effective medium to amplify the message to all forum participants.
“Art is about heart. It is a very important way to reach people and move their hearts. By utilising people in this giant art formation, people become the message,” he added.
Fellow organisation partners included The Disability Inclusive and Accessible Urban Development (DIAUD), The Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES), UN-Habitat, Ford Foundation, General Assembly of Partners (GAP), Persons with Disabilities PCG, Dr Mason Global, Kompas Strategy, and Next City.
Also present at the event was Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) Central founder Ras Adiba Radzi.
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