The event will focus on the potential of urban planning and design for creating sustainable, low-carbon neighbourhoods and buildings through integrated solutions that reduce energy use, improve resource efficiency, and promote sustainable lifestyles. Urban planning and design have the potential to shape sustainable building development by defining urban morphology (such as building height, density, and open space allocation), by promoting compact and mixed-use planning approaches that foster walkability and active mobility, and by leveraging circular economy strategies like recycling and energy recovery. Thoughtfully designed spaces, both within and between buildings, can promote circular practices (e.g., composting) and support sustainable living and working through active mobility and resource sharing. Additionally, incorporating green infrastructure solutions enhances the environmental performance of buildings (e.g., by reducing cooling needs). Participants will discuss innovative and integrated approaches that (1) optimise environmental performance at the neighbourhood and building levels, (2) tackle sprawl and low-density urban development by transforming cities into polycentric hubs, (3) embed nature-based, active mobility and circular economy solutions into urban development, and (4) foster social cohesion through inclusive, shared and public spaces. This event will build on and leverage previous efforts and conversations with international partners, including the ‘Call for climate action through transformative urban planning’, issued at COP28, during which leading organisations including UN-Habitat, C40 Cities, Urban Partners, and UCLG committed to address climate change through sustainable urban planning. The event also builds on the event ‘Advancing Decarbonisation of Buildings and Climate Adaptation through Urban Planning’, held at the Buildings and Climate Global Forum. 

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Session Agenda

Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Timing: 14:00 - 14:05 (5 minutes)
• Overview:
  • Welcome participants to the session.
  • Introduce the session’s theme and objectives.

Panel Introduction and Context Setting

• Timing: 14:05 - 14:15 (10 minutes)
• Overview:
  • Brief introduction to the importance of circular economy in sustainable design.
  • Provide context on key challenges and opportunities in implementing circular economy principles within the built environment.

Panel Discussion: Approaches to Circular Design and Sustainable Cities

• Timing: 14:15 - 14:45 (30 minutes)
• Speakers:
  • Simone Mangili, Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance
  • Pamela Conrad, Climate Positive Design
  • Olafiyin Taiwo, UN-Habitat
  • Nazakat Azimli, Laudes Foundation
  • Alina Koschmieder, 
  • Anacláudia Rossbach, UN-Habitat
• Overview:
  • A moderated discussion on various approaches to circular design.
  • Panelists will discuss practical strategies, challenges, and real-world applications of circular economy principles in building projects.
  • Key themes include sustainable material selection, waste reduction, and designing for longevity.

Audience Q&A and Open Discussion

• Timing: 14:45 - 14:55 (10 minutes)
• Overview:
  • Open the floor to audience questions.
  • Facilitated Q&A to deepen the discussion on circular economy strategies and their role in sustainable urban development.

Closing Remarks

• Timing: 14:55 - 15:00 (5 minutes)
• Overview:
  • Summarize key insights from the panel discussion.
  • Provide closing thoughts on the way forward for advancing circular economy in the built environment.
  • Call to action for continued collaboration and innovation in sustainable design practices.

See the COP29 Buildings and Cooling Pavilion!