Unleashing the transformational potential of the New Leipzig Charter

The New Leipzig Charter is a key policy framework document for sustainable urban development in Europe, endorsed by the informal council of EU ministers on urban matter. It focusses on the transformative power of cities for the common good and calls for cities to have a stronger role in decision making at both national and EU level. Furthermore, the New Leipzig Charter identifies three dimensions for urban transitions - the just city, the green city, and the productive city. While each priority calls for dedicated actions, the interrelationships, synergies, conflicts and interdependencies between these dimensions must be considered to truly achieve sustainability and climate neutrality. This session aims at discussing the thematic linkages, potentials and critical issues in and between the three dimensions of the New Leipzig Charter and cities’ needs to drive urban transitions along these dimensions in an integrated approach. It will highlight key issues to empower cities to unleash their transformative potential in terms of rethinking governance processes, openness to innovative approaches and learning loops to make evidence based decisions. The session will consist of short inputs / key statements by the panellists à 7-8 minutes, followed by a panel discussion. Participants are asked to provide their input and feedback via an interactive conference / workshop tool (www.mentimenter). The session will be co-organised by JPI Urban Europe and the German Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building.