How are cities accelerating progress towards a sustainable future?

How can cities accelerate their progress towards sustainability and meeting the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals? In a compelling webinar held in collaboration with Arcadis, industry leaders across Europe explored how cities can balance people, planet, profit and progress to further urban sustainability.

Moderated by Anil Sawhney FRICS, head of sustainability at RICS, the webinar opened with insights from The Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024. Anil explains how the report aligns with key sustainability themes, while also addressing critical focus areas like standardising metrics, influencing policy, supporting stakeholders and leveraging technology. He highlights the unique inclusion of ‘progress’ as a key dimension in the report, linking environmental, social, economic and governance outcomes into a cohesive framework for sustainable urban development.

What is a sustainable city?

Peter Hogg, London city executive at Arcadis, emphasises that cities must strike a balance between sustainability’s four pillars – planet, people, profit and progress – to avoid favouring one aspect over others. He points out that there is a ‘lack of alignment and clarity’ on the definition of a sustainable city, which is a challenge that can lead to an imbalance in focus. Céline Crestin, chief strategy and sustainability officer at Paris La Défense, echoes this concern, noting the complexity of balancing community needs with financial viability.

Long-term visions are important for success

Sustainability in cities requires an integrated approach that connects critical urban systems while balancing environmental, social and economic goals. Carolien Gehrels, global director of energy transition at Arcadis, emphasises the need for a long-term vision that integrates sustainability into urban planning linking housing, mobility, energy transition and water management. She advocates fostering public-private partnerships to drive innovation, such as implementing AI-driven systems for sustainable neighbourhoods.

Effective leadership and strategies are necessary for long-term progress

Peter stresses the importance of strong, multi-dimensional leadership – spanning political, business and societal domains – as a cornerstone for sustained progress. He underscores the need to effectively communicate the benefits of sustainability to stakeholders. He notes that articulating the benefits ensures that citizens, businesses and investors see their role and rewards in prioritising sustainability. This fosters engagement and embeds sustainability into the ‘cultural DNA of a city.’

Stuart Rogers, director of project management at Muse, agrees that strong leadership and relentless commitment to improvement is crucial. He further explains that cities that have experienced success in maintaining sustainability recognise their unique strengths and challenges, leveraging these to craft tailored strategies that attract investment. This investment, in turn, drives sustainable development through ‘a chain reaction’ of benefits, including greener infrastructure and healthier neighbourhoods.

Peter also points out the importance of detailed action plans. While high-level strategies set the vision, he warns, ‘cities that lose momentum do so because they’re just talking in very high conceptual levels’. Effective programme management, grounded in systematic planning and execution, is essential to sustain progress and avoid stagnation.

Successful city sustainability projects

The discussion highlights how cities are turning sustainability goals into real-world achievements through energy-efficient systems, improved mobility and collaborative initiatives. Carolien describes Amsterdam's user-friendly tap-in/tap-out metro system and reduced speed limits, which promote walking and cycling, enhancing public health and reducing emissions.

Peter cites London’s transport-led regeneration, including the King’s Cross redevelopment, which has bolstered the city’s economic, environmental and social sustainability. He also mentions the low-cost transformation of Trafalgar Square into a vibrant community hub, calling it a ‘transformational difference to central London’s sustainability.’

Céline describes how energy-saving competitions among buildings in Paris La Défense led to a 15% reduction in energy use through behavioural changes and system optimisations. This initiative not only improved efficiency but also fostered a spirit of collaboration among building owners and tenants.

Stuart shares Manchester’s successes, including the Eden Building, which features Europe’s largest green wall to combat air pollution, and high-density Passivhaus developments that reduce residents' energy bills.

Collaboration and innovation in urban sustainability

Collaboration among public and private sectors is key to driving sustainability in cities. Céline points to efforts in cities like Paris La Défense, where the district’s carbon footprint is largely tied to real estate activities such as demolition and construction. Céline stresses the need to prioritise retrofitting over rebuilding and states that ‘we need to trigger investment in existing buildings to gain efficiency and improve sustainability’. To achieve this, her team organises workshops and conferences, gathering stakeholders to promote retrofitting, improve heating systems and explore public-private investment models. This approach aims to build a post-carbon neighbourhood where each stakeholder contributes to the collective goal.

Céline and Stuart both emphasise the value of community-driven efforts in creating sustainable urban spaces. Céline points out the importance of collaboration across sectors to prioritise retrofitting, while Stuart highlights the need for community involvement in regeneration projects. By engaging local stakeholders and empowering communities to understand their carbon footprint, Stuart believes that long-term success is built through incremental, consistent actions, noting ‘you don’t have to make huge steps every month, but as long as you improve a little bit every year, it snowballs into a massive impact.’ This shared focus on collaboration and incremental change creates a solid foundation for sustainable urban development.

Economic climate and its role in accelerating urban sustainability

The economic climate plays a crucial role in driving urban sustainability, influencing both the pace and scope of sustainability efforts. Carolien shares how cities like Amsterdam, which have long faced climate challenges due to being below sea level, demonstrate how public-private partnerships can drive significant sustainability initiatives. For example, innovative water management systems and collective action to manage water in the city showcases how such collaborations can address pressing environmental issues. She stresses the importance of having actionable plans that not only improve the environment but also generate cost savings and profitability, leveraging big data to enable smarter energy management and sustainable asset strategies.

Céline highlights the growing convergence between economic and environmental concerns, driven by regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive in Europe. She explains that in cities such as Paris, it is increasingly difficult to rent or sell buildings that do not meet energy efficiency and carbon reduction standards. This shift emphasises the importance of retrofitting and improving existing assets rather than constructing new ones, making sustainability not only an environmental imperative but also an economic necessity.

People, partnerships and policy: unlocking sustainable futures

For cities to advance sustainability, prioritising people, partnerships and the right incentives is essential. Stuart stresses the centrality of people in driving sustainable change, stating that ‘if a vision is understood by a large constant of the community, it drives change’. He underscores the importance of collaboration across sectors, bringing together government, private institutions and local communities to maximise impact. Céline further adds the need to focus on climate adaptation, particularly in making neighbourhoods more heat-resilient and embracing circular economy models. Carolien points out the role of incentives, such as tax policies that encourage sustainable behaviours like using bicycles and public transport to foster a greener future. Peter concludes by highlighting how positive incentives, along with occasional regulations, are pivotal for motivating the public. He references London's successful congestion charge and ultra-low emissions zones, which have significantly improved air quality and quality of life in the city.

This webinar explores how cities are progressing toward a sustainable future, guided by insights from the 2024 Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index. The session highlights essential strategies that enable cities to sustain momentum, address challenges, and accelerate their sustainability efforts. Our expert panel presents case studies from Europe, showcasing cities that have successfully implemented policies for renewable energy transitions, climate adaptation, and enhanced mobility infrastructure. They also discuss what sets apart cities achieving consistent progress from those facing slower growth or stagnation.