A sustainable city is defined as dense (combating urban sprawl and artificialisation of soils), restrained (efficient use of energy, water and materials), inclusive (functional proximity), attractive and resilient (living environment, combating traffic congestion and air pollution) and efficient (optimisation of resources and services).
The draft standard ISO 37120 Sustainable Cities & Communities focuses on twenty major themes, ranging from the economy to water, and including energy, environment and climate, solid waste, transport and urban agriculture. In France, a Sustainable & Innovative City label taking into account the SDGs and ISO standards and building on existing approaches (Cit'ergie, Agenda 21, EcoQuartiers, etc.) was launched in early July 2019.
While the transport sector is the biggest emitter of GHGs (30%) and one of the main sources of air pollution, the Mobilities Act (LOM - Loi d'Orientation des Mobilités) in preparation by the French government should encourage investment in everyday transport, encourage the implementation of new solutions and kick-start the transition to cleaner mobility. Currently, seven in ten French people travel to work by car...
