We mourn and honor our friend Jordi Borja, who passed away today after dedicating his life to the city and to citizens’ struggles for their social rights.
Our International Habitat Coalition (HIC) owes a great deal to this generous and provocative Catalan geographer, who taught us to understand the complexity of cities through the lens of building and defending citizens’ rights, with his critical and uncompromising perspective on the neoliberal city.
Jordi supported us in countless ways and through various institutions in Barcelona. Among many others, we remember:
- His solidarity with colleagues living in exile and the diaspora.
- Debates on the leading role of communities in the production of habitat, in coordination with local government associations, first United Cities and later United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).
- The publication of the landmark compilation of experiences on the Social Production of Habitat (PSH) worldwide for the Third World Urban Forum in 2004.
- One of the first international seminars on the Right to the City, held in 2005.
- HIC Board meetings and General Assemblies hosted at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in 2008.
- His support for the establishment of HIC’s General Secretariat.
- His steadfast defense of housing and habitat rights through his work at Observatori DESC.
We will always remember Jordi Borja’s invaluable contributions to critical urban thought and networks across all continents, especially during landmark global gatherings such as Habitat II in Istanbul and Habitat III in Quito.
Farewell, dear Jordi. Your ideas, commitment, and solidarity will continue to inspire us.
