Background

The idea of sustainability is neither new nor fixed. The concept concurrently evolves according to time, location and social development. We have selected significant stops along the road to sustainable city development.

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Topics

Sustainability is not a uniform model, but multiple overlapping issues, ideas and initiatives. The concept of sustainability revolves around several connected topics all related to either environmental problems, social, economic or political-institutional fields.

History

Like the city, sustainability also depends on time, place, and the socioeconomic development. Below you see a gathering of historic events and milestones on the way towards creating sustainable cities. 

Health and sustainable cities

Health. Impact of the built environment on public health, urban design that encourages movement, social behavior, quality of life etc.

Masterplans and sustainable cities

Masterplans. Urban development, urban restructuring and integrated planning etc.

Education and sustainable cities

Education. Systematic learning, knowledge sharing, school programs, open source etc. 

Buildings and sustainable cities

Buildings. CO2 neutral buildings, retrofitting, sustainable architecture, clean energy houses etc.

Social issues and sustainable cities

Social issues. Integration, equality, claiming the right to the city, participation, community, empowerment etc.

Green and sustainable cities

Green. Green infrastructure, pocket parks, green roofs, greenery, planning for biodiversity etc.

Energy and sustainable cities

Energy. Renewable energy production, usage, distribution, consumption, geothermal, solar, wind, wave power etc.

Waste and sustainable cities

Waste. Recycling, reducing waste, litter management, public-private partnerships battling waste etc.

Water and sustainable cities

Water. stormwater drainage, rainwater harvesting, water as recreational space, integrated water planning etc.

Transport and sustainable cities

Transportation. Mobility, intermodality, biking, public transport, congestion charging ect.

Food and sustainable cities

Food. Production, ecology, distribution, self-sufficiency, urban aquaculture, vertical farming etc.

Green Growth Leaders

2011 |

Green Growth Leaders is a global alliance of cities, regions, countries and corporations, sharing a vision of building prosperous, green economies and communities - and a better tomorrow for their citizens.
 

C40

2011 |

 The C40 plays a central role in fostering a sense of shared purpose in tackling climate change and aids global cities in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while generating growth through a variety of programs focused on energy efficiency. 

Danish Commission on Climate Change Policy: Green energy

2010 |

The world community is facing mayor challenges regarding climate change and an escalating demand for energy.
 

Copenhagen Agenda: Working for Sustainable Cities

2007 |

Climate change confronts our cities with massive challenges. The Copenhagen Agenda for Sustainable Cities tries to meet them.

Vancouver EcoDensity Charter: Green liveable cities

2006 |

The EcoDensity Charter commits a city to make environmental sustainability a primary goal in all city planning decisions - in ways that also support housing affordability and liveability.

One Planet Living

2004 |

One Planet Living is a global initiative based on 10 principles of sustainability.

Aalborg Commitments: Getting cities going

2004 |

The Aalborg Commitments are a theoretical framework that defines sustainable development as a process through which cities can implement local Agenda 21.

Melbourne Principles: Respect for people and nature

2002 |

The Melbourne Principles provide a simple set of statements on how a sustainable city would function, guiding awareness and providing a strategic framework for action.

Cradle to Cradle – improving the future

2002 |

Cradle to cradle is basically about moving from sustaining to improving the world through design

Johannesburg Declaration: A human global society

2002 |

The Johannesburg Declaration focuses on how to ensure people a dignified sustainable life.

Hannover Principles: Design for sustainabilty

2000 |

The Hannover principles are reframing the issue of sustainability, relating it to design and the built environment, and recognizing our interdependence with Nature.

Cittaslow: Putting quality of life first

1999 |

Cittaslow aims to rediscover aspects of urban life by creating space for “the good slow life” with peace of mind, a sustainable environment and quality food, music and buildings.

Ecological Footprint: Humanities killing Nature

1996 |

The ecological footprint enables us to compare consumption and lifestyle with Natures ability to provide for our consumption.

Rio Declaration: The right to development

1992 |

Human beings are at the centre of concern for sustainable development. They are entitlled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with Nature.

Brundtland Report: Our common future

1987 |

Our Common Future - Articulating the holistic concept of sustainability.

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