New partnership for the 15 minute city

Nordic real investment manager NREP has teamed up with city mayors group C40 to deliver projects promoting the 15-minute city concept. 

The new Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods programme is intended to deliver proof of concept for 15-minute city policies. The 15-minute city concept involves a series of dense, walkable neighbourhoods with mixed uses, essentially transforming cities to become a set of urban villages. 

The combination of density, mixed uses and walkability means the 15-minute city should have much lower carbon emissions, as people do not need to regularly travel by vehicle. Compact and resource-efficient cities can help cut urban emissions by around 25%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

NREP CEO and Partner Claus Mathisen said: “As much as 60-70% of the world’s CO2 emissions come from cities, so the quest for greener urban solutions is urgent. This partnership is an opportunity to shape what a sustainable and equitable city is and to create a blueprint for urban development that will help not only cities to drive ambitious urban policies but also business and other stakeholders to engage and adapt their operational models.”

Strategic partners in C40’s new Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods programme include UN-Habitat and the Sorbonne University's Carlos Moreno, recognised for his work on a framework for 15-minute cities. The programme will deliver projects in at least five cities.

C40 is a network of nearly 100 city mayors, dedicated to addressing climate change and and building healthy, equitable and resilient communities 

NREP is an urban investor with assets of €18 billion under management and 600 employees across Europe.