On 3 June, Urban-LEDs, ICLEI Europe and Smart Cities Marketplace cities Mannheim (Germany), Madrid (Spain), Cork (Ireland), Helsinki (Finland) and Utrecht (the Netherlands) joined an European Green Week High Level Conference Session on “Popular objectives, controversial measures – increasing the acceptance of ambitious measures in cities” to exchange perspectives on citizen engagement strategies that support the implementation of ambitious, low-carbon measures.

Whereas pollution reduction and the improvement of local air quality in cities is often a welcome objective, which attracts widespread public support, the concrete measures linked to its implementation can spark heated debates and even opposition among different groups.

The question of how to ensure public acceptance of planned measures and changes to public space is challenging local planning departments across Europe and the globe. City representatives joining the session shared their recent experiences and the measures taken to mediate and prevent conflict around, for example, the introduction of bus priority lanes, the banning of cars from city centres, and the conversion of highways to recreational spaces.

While the approaches taken varied, speakers agreed on the crucial importance of active community engagement and consultation, concluding that such processes cannot start early enough in the planning phase.

The session was concluded by Agnes Schönfelder, CEO of the Climate Action Agency of the City of Mannheim, and Spokesperson of the city’s Local Green Deal office and efforts. In cooperation with ICLEI, the city is developing practical steps to localise the EU Green Deal – in line with the Mannheim Message – for a holistic and inclusive, locally-driven transition to a climate friendly, healthy, green and resilient future.

More information on the speakers and session, as well as a recording, can be found here.