Key issues -

making a difference

There is increasing awareness that cities are at the heart of our global response to climate change and sustainability challenges. Organisations as diverse as the European Commission, United Nations, World Economic Forum and Asian Development Bank have all recently indicated that cities and those that govern them are best placed to take local action to tackle and resolve environmental challenges, whilst ensuring a good quality of life for their citizens. Initiatives such as the 15 minute neighbourhood, green transport systems, automated processes and operations, and digital health and care are making an impact.

In contrast, less attention has been given to the role the city centre needs to have in making the city as whole more sustainable. The concentration of commercial and consumption activity, the agglomeration of buildings and streets, and the need for transportation makes the city centre a major contributor to our collective carbon footprint. But there are tensions in taking actions that reduce this footprint and maintaining the essential place-making elements identified by stakeholders - workspaces, retail, transport, culture & heritage, tourism, and the public realm.

In this section, we consider examine further these tensions, outlining some of the key issues and giving examples of how new knowledge and insights can help generate initiatives to balance sustainability and vibrancy.

Retail/local sourcing

More than any other element of the city centre, the retail sector epitomises the tensions around sustainability. Changing consumer behaviour is creating a desire policy and interventions to support 'retail sustainability' as a key component of the city centre economy. Read more

Spatial Equity and Inclusiveness

Following the formation of a strategic alliance between the Architectural Research Centers Consortium and the CIB working commission on Architectural Design and Management, work began on spatial equity and inclusiveness. The purpose of this section of the website is as a repository for papers and notes, and a place where people can contribute with blogs and thought pieces. Read more

Offices/efficient buildings

The volatility of the office and real estate market to financial and economic turmoil is well known. Perceptions of investment risk as well as property asset prices mean that decisions about office space focus on the medium to long term. The recent shift to more agile, homeworking has added further uncertainty..... Read more

Public realm/green spaces

Public spaces are an integral part of the urban system, the interstices between those spaces produced and managed by private agents for private use. Renewed attention is being given to how this public realm should be managed and used to support the city centre in its transformation. Read more

Mobility/accessibility

The application of the notion of sustainable mobility is helping to reduce carbon emissions but has is still not sufficient to meet internationally set targets. A new approach is needed.... Read more

Retrofit/Culture and heritage

Existing buildings in cities account for more than 60% of carbon dioxide emissions. Whilst new build can help reduce this footprint, retrofitting has to make a significant and rapid contribution; a transformation all the more challenging in the higher density and compact downtown. Read more

Tourists/Residents

Repopulating the downtown areas of cities has become a high priority for planners. A key question is the city centre for whom? Read more