Transforming the Built Environment

Published 2025 – This joint report by The Club of Rome and the Hot or Cool Institute explores how cities can evolve into low-carbon, resilient and equitable spaces through holistic approaches that recognise the deep interconnections between environmental, social and economic systems.

It highlights the current fragmented and reactive nature of urban planning that often reinforces inequality, environmental degradation and social disconnection and introduces a systems-based framework to equip policymakers with the tools needed to reshape urban development.

Grounded in case studies and insights from urban policy and planning experts, the report presents actionable recommendations, such as regenerative design, community co-creation and cross-sectoral decision-making, to drive the deep, structural changes needed to create sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban spaces.

Authors: Aimée Aguilar Jaber, Tatiana Samsonova, Laetitia Mairlot, Cynthia Echave, Nathalie Spittler

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Dancing with paradigms, could systemic wisdom emerge?

Dancing with paradigms, could systemic wisdom emerge?

09 September 2025 - This is the first publication of The Fifth Element’s discussion paper series, which emerges from a recognition that our current crises—climate breakdown, social division and the loss of meaning—cannot be solved through conventional approaches...

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