The Urban Transition Mission Center (UTMC) has launched a series of peer exchanges, aiming to pioneer transformative changes in urban landscapes worldwide. This initiative, seeks to foster collaboration, share best practices, and catalyse the shift towards sustainable and resilient cities. Through an in-depth analysis of selected urban transition methodologies and pathways, the UTMC aspires to drive a global movement towards sustainable urban development.
The first peer-to-peer session, held on 19th October, was a notable milestone in this journey. The session, drawing insights from the city of Mannheim, Germany, delved into the mission-oriented approach—a forward-thinking strategy geared towards addressing urban challenges and effecting transformative change. The discussion centred on the methodology of the Climate Cities Contract (CCC) implemented by Mannheim, emphasising both the similarities and differences with other cities associated with the Urban Transition Mission (UTM) worldwide.
A highlight of Mannheim’s accomplishments was the recent acknowledgment by the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, which awarded the city the prestigious EU Mission Label. This recognition came in the wake of the successful development of Climate City Contracts—comprehensive blueprints that outline a city’s vision for climate neutrality, encompassing detailed action plans and investment strategies. Notably, these contracts are co-created with local stakeholders, including both the private sector and citizens, ensuring broad-based support for sustainable initiatives.
The session, which hosted 40 online participants, featured presentations from Agnes Schönfelder, representing the City of Mannheim, and Miriam Badino, from the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy. Key insights from the session shed light on the challenges encountered in the pursuit of urban transitions towards climate neutrality. Participants explored the steps towards creating a Local Green Deal, derived from the EU Green Deal, and the role of the Climate City Contract in facilitating the journey towards climate neutrality by 2030.
Emphasising the need for unwavering political commitment and top-down leadership, the session underscored the significance of fostering citizen engagement and stakeholder involvement. Long-term international collaboration and knowledge exchange were also highlighted as crucial components for sustainable urban development.
Participants also delved into the development of holistic investment strategies, spanning various governmental ministries, and the critical importance of initiating and maintaining the transition process across different stages. The session showcased real-world examples where climate neutrality was treated as a compelling business case, outlining detailed scenarios for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and the associated costs of achieving climate neutrality.
The discussion concluded by emphasising the significance of monitoring dashboards to track the interconnectedness of various initiatives, along with the importance of transparent data disclosure and reporting.
This was the first session in a series of peer-to-peer exchanges, with more to come.
To view the recordings of the session, please follow the links:
Session 1 – https://youtu.be/uQcvh5JWw6E
Session 2 – https://youtu.be/WDzRlwo7rJw
