Learn how to create
sustainable cities
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In partnership with
"The perfect city doesn’t exist, but through collective actions, the next generation could have it in sight."
The places we live shape almost every part of our lives: how we move, how we work, what we breathe, and what we value. Sustainable cities are designed to be inclusive, low-carbon, circular, and resilient. They put people and the planet first — and they’re already being built.
Incorporating local, natural materials like timber, bamboo, mud, and hemp crete into urban construction reduces environmental impact while enhancing cultural resonance. By blending traditional building techniques with modern design, we can create structures that are not only sustainable but also foster community identity and resilience. Materials like gluelam and natural stone offer low-carbon alternatives to conventional construction, while earth-based options, such as rammed earth and mud bricks, provide cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions. By prioritising sustainable materials, we can move towards cities that are both eco-friendly and deeply connected to local cultures.
Nature-based solutions like sponge cities use the natural environment to address urban challenges such as flooding, heat islands, and pollution. By integrating green spaces, wetlands, and permeable surfaces, cities can reduce stormwater runoff, promote biodiversity, and increase resilience to climate impacts. Nature-based infrastructure offers an innovative, low-tech solution to the pressures of urbanization while improving quality of life for residents.
Revitalizing urban commons—shared spaces such as parks, community gardens, and public squares—plays a key role in fostering sustainability and social cohesion. By prioritizing these communal spaces in urban planning, cities can enhance environmental quality, increase access to green spaces, and promote equitable resource distribution. These revitalized spaces also strengthen community ties, offering opportunities for social interaction, local engagement, and collective action, all of which are essential for creating cities that are both environmentally and socially resilient.
Inclusive urban planning means designing cities with communities, not just for them. By giving residents the chance to contribute their knowledge, we create spaces that truly serve their needs. This approach also ensures that marginalized groups are heard, advancing urban justice. Empower communities to lead planning, zoning, and grassroots initiatives, ensuring solutions are adaptable and tailored to their unique environments.
Retrofitting is one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental footprint of our built environment. Existing buildings hold vast stores of embodied carbon, and adapting them instead of demolishing preserves this value while avoiding the emissions of new construction. Retrofitting can dramatically improve a building’s energy efficiency, reduce waste, and help cities retain their architectural heritage. By upgrading what we already have, we honour the past while preparing our infrastructure for a low-carbon future.
Doughnut Economics provides a framework for designing cities that meet the needs of all residents within the ecological boundaries of the planet. Applying this model to urban planning means focusing on both social and environmental sustainability. Cities can be reimagined as spaces that provide equitable access to resources, while ensuring that consumption does not exceed the local ecosystem’s limits. By integrating this approach, cities can prioritize regenerative design, social well-being, and environmental stewardship in their development strategies.
The 15-minute city concept focuses on creating urban environments where residents can access all their essential services—work, education, healthcare, and recreation—within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their homes. By prioritizing mixed-use neighborhoods, active transportation, and local services, this model reduces reliance on cars, cuts emissions, and fosters stronger, more resilient communities. Shifting towards the 15-minute city makes cities more livable, sustainable, and equitable.
Incorporating local, natural materials like timber, bamboo, mud, and hemp crete into urban construction reduces environmental impact while enhancing cultural resonance. By blending traditional building techniques with modern design, we can create structures that are not only sustainable but also foster community identity and resilience. Materials like gluelam and natural stone offer low-carbon alternatives to conventional construction, while earth-based options, such as rammed earth and mud bricks, provide cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions. By prioritising sustainable materials, we can move towards cities that are both eco-friendly and deeply connected to local cultures.
Nature-based solutions like sponge cities use the natural environment to address urban challenges such as flooding, heat islands, and pollution. By integrating green spaces, wetlands, and permeable surfaces, cities can reduce stormwater runoff, promote biodiversity, and increase resilience to climate impacts. Nature-based infrastructure offers an innovative, low-tech solution to the pressures of urbanization while improving quality of life for residents.
Revitalizing urban commons—shared spaces such as parks, community gardens, and public squares—plays a key role in fostering sustainability and social cohesion. By prioritizing these communal spaces in urban planning, cities can enhance environmental quality, increase access to green spaces, and promote equitable resource distribution. These revitalized spaces also strengthen community ties, offering opportunities for social interaction, local engagement, and collective action, all of which are essential for creating cities that are both environmentally and socially resilient.
Inclusive urban planning means designing cities with communities, not just for them. By giving residents the chance to contribute their knowledge, we create spaces that truly serve their needs. This approach also ensures that marginalized groups are heard, advancing urban justice. Empower communities to lead planning, zoning, and grassroots initiatives, ensuring solutions are adaptable and tailored to their unique environments.
Retrofitting is one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental footprint of our built environment. Existing buildings hold vast stores of embodied carbon, and adapting them instead of demolishing preserves this value while avoiding the emissions of new construction. Retrofitting can dramatically improve a building’s energy efficiency, reduce waste, and help cities retain their architectural heritage. By upgrading what we already have, we honour the past while preparing our infrastructure for a low-carbon future.
Doughnut Economics provides a framework for designing cities that meet the needs of all residents within the ecological boundaries of the planet. Applying this model to urban planning means focusing on both social and environmental sustainability. Cities can be reimagined as spaces that provide equitable access to resources, while ensuring that consumption does not exceed the local ecosystem’s limits. By integrating this approach, cities can prioritize regenerative design, social well-being, and environmental stewardship in their development strategies.
The 15-minute city concept focuses on creating urban environments where residents can access all their essential services—work, education, healthcare, and recreation—within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their homes. By prioritizing mixed-use neighborhoods, active transportation, and local services, this model reduces reliance on cars, cuts emissions, and fosters stronger, more resilient communities. Shifting towards the 15-minute city makes cities more livable, sustainable, and equitable.
Urban spaces thrive when they balance environmental health with social well-being. Whether you're a resident, designer, planner, policymaker, or just someone who loves their neighbourhood, there’s a role for you in making urban spaces more liveable, equitable, and resilient. Here’s how to get involved.
Explore how architecture can support a regenerative future by learning about sustainable building materials. Material Reform by Material Cultures offers insights into low-carbon construction, local materials, and craft-led design. The book challenges extractive building norms and inspires a more circular, place-based approach. Start here to rethink how we build.
Discover how 15-minute cities can slash emissions, reduce car dependency, and build more resilient, people-friendly neighbourhoods. In this TED Talk, Carlos Moreno explains how designing for proximity—where everything you need is just a short walk or bike ride away—can transform cities into hubs of sustainability and wellbeing.
Learn how the idea of urban commons—shared spaces shaped and sustained by communities—can guide sustainable placemaking, empower local governance, and enhance urban well-being. In this article, urban researcher Rohinton Emmanuel explores how commons thinking can influence future urban research and practice.
Participatory design puts communities at the heart of shaping their environments. The Laufen Manifesto offers a bold call to action for more inclusive, just, and sustainable design practices. Use it as a starting point to understand how architecture and urbanism can respond to real social needs—and how you can contribute.
A growing movement of architects, builders, and researchers is reimagining construction with natural materials and low-carbon techniques. From earth and straw to timber and lime, these innovators demonstrate how building can be both regenerative and beautiful. By following and sharing their work on social media, you help spread awareness of architecture as a tool for climate resilience and community empowerment.
Donate to organisations working to make urban life greener, fairer, and more liveable—like Living Streets Scotland, Greenspace Scotland, or Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA). These groups champion better public spaces, green infrastructure, and people-friendly streets.
Transition Towns are a global movement of communities working together to make their cities and towns more resilient and sustainable. Get involved with local initiatives by using the Transition Network’s map to find groups near you. Attend their next event to take part in hands-on, community-led climate action and help make your neighborhood more sustainable.
MAKE is a hands-on learning platform that builds accessible construction skills for a world in climate, biodiversity, and housing crisis. From working with wood and clay to hemp, lime, and local forestry, these workshops are led by expert builders and material specialists from across the UK. Open to architects, builders, and anyone curious about regenerative building, MAKE offers a grounded introduction to low-carbon construction.
Use the Doughnut Economics City Portrait Method to explore how your city can balance meeting social needs with respecting planetary boundaries. This tool allows you to map out areas of improvement, identify where your city is thriving, and where it needs to evolve. You can apply this method in schools, councils, or local groups to create a shared vision for a more sustainable and equitable community. Doughnut Economics Action Lab offers a detailed guide to help you get started.
For inspiration on how a city portrait can lead to positive change, check out Civic Square in Birmingham—an incredible community organization transforming their neighbourhood through Doughnut Economics.
Reclaim a neglected urban space and turn it into a green haven for your community. Pocket parks not only provide a peaceful retreat but also enhance the local environment and create spaces for social connection. Organize your neighbors, work with local councils, and introduce elements like greenery and seating. WSP’s guide for Islington Council offers detailed steps for creating these parks—though it’s geared towards local authorities, much of it can be used by changemakers. For additional support, organizations like MyParkScotland can assist with fundraising for park projects.
Car-free zones and car-free days offer more than just temporary relief from traffic—they highlight the potential of vibrant, people-centered streets. By organizing a pop-up car-free zone, you can showcase how streets can be transformed into lively, pedestrian-friendly spaces. These events not only reduce pollution and promote sustainable transportation but also help build support for policies that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists. Use City Changers' bite-sized guide to get started and make a lasting impact on your community.
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