The Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods panel session during the UIA
World Congress of Architects brought together mayors and urban
stakeholders who shared pilot projects, best practices, and
transformative initiatives. Their common aim is to accelerate climate
actions, prioritise community health and well-being, and create
sustainable, vibrant neighbourhoods that serve as models for urban
development.
The impressive list of speakers included Sophie Hæstorp Andersen,
Lord Mayor, City of Copenhagen, Jan Gehl, Architect, Professor of
Urban Design, The Royal Danish Academy, and Founding Partner, Gehl,
and Carlos Moreno, Associate Professor at the Paris IAE – Panthéon
Sorbonne University and Co-founder and Scientific Director of the ETI.
There were also presentations from the cities of Paris, Melbourne,
Milan and Santiago.
Panellists stressed the need to
move away from past urban development models that promote sprawl and
car-oriented cities. They emphasised integrating urban planning with
nature to create liveable, people-oriented cities. They also discussed
the "15-minute City" concept, advocating for polycentric
cities with multiple neighbourhoods that meet daily needs, offer
people-oriented public spaces, and encourage healthier
lifestyles.
During the session, Niels Lund represented
Cities Changing Diabetes and spoke on the impact of proximity on
health. It was an insightful and inspiring discussion, highlighting
the power of collaboration and the potential for positive change in
our urban environments.
