From Architects Declare to the global climate strikes there has never been more discussion about the role the design and construction industries can play in securing the future of our planet. But beyond individual buildings it’s essential to consider how urban design can contribute to the creation of sustainable towns and cities.

Urban dwellers are responsible for three quarters of today’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the UK’s 63 largest towns and cities accountable for almost half of the country’s CO₂ emissions. London alone contributes 11% of this total. However, with the technologies and policies that already exist, research suggests that cities could cut their carbon emissions by 90% by 2050 – from simply building better, retrofitting existing stock and using more sustainable materials to investing in public transport, using green energy and electrifying fossil fuel-hungry systems.

However, for meaningful change and real impact it’s crucial that we consider climate and the built environment holistically. And that means we have to work together.

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