C40 launches latest edition of ‘Reinventing Cities’ competition

C40 Cities has launched the fourth edition of its global Reinventing Cities competition that aims to transform underutilised urban sites through innovation.

This year, 15 cities – Almere, Bilbao, Bologna, Brussels, Glasgow, Milan, New York, Palermo, Renca, Rome, San Antonio, San Francisco, São Paulo, Seattle and Venice – will take part in the programme, which invites creative professionals worldwide including architects, planners, developers, investors, environmentalists and start-ups to “design and develop urban projects of the future”.

Sites to be transformed include creating a mixed-use inclusive development surrounding the canal in Glasgow; supporting the 15-minute city vision in Rome; creating a more vibrant waterfront in Seattle; repurposing downtown office buildings into housing in San Francisco; and designing green public spaces in São Paulo.

“In its fourth Reinventing Cities participation, the City of Milan will test joint interventions with Agenzia del Demanio, the national Public Property Agency, focusing on student and social housing,” said Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan and C40 Vice Chair for Europe.

“This is key to enhance local cooperation among stakeholders at all levels for the acceleration of Milan’s transition towards a more inclusive, green and liveable urban environment.”

Engagement

To date, Reinventing Cities has engaged over 3,500 businesses worldwide with 40 projects under development globally, demonstrating how urban climate leadership and collaboration with the private sector can enable zero-carbon development to serve the needs of local communities.

According to C40, the timeline for the competition varies city by city, and teams seeking to participate must have financial capability to implement the project, with one or more developers or investors as part of the team or other funding mechanisms.

“The regeneration of Glasgow’s Canal has been truly transformational, delivering economic, environmental and social benefits in the shape of new workplaces, homes, cultural and leisure facilities, green and public space, a water management system and better connections for active travel,” said Glasgow City Councillor, Susan Aitken.

“The development of the Applecross site will mark the next stage in the regeneration in a quarter of Glasgow that is an exemplar of how urban development can help us achieve net zero.”

Image: luca-bravo-unsplash