Under the German Presidency, the EU has adopted the New Leipzig Charter on 30 November 2020. The new edition of the Charter from 2007 has been adapted to the current social, environmental and economic challenges which local authorities are facing today. A key feature of the New Leipzig Charter is that it promotes the idea of urban policy for the common good. Given current crises such as social inequality, climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic, our cities play a unique transformative role.

The NLC highlights three forms of the transformative city which can be harnessed in Europe to enhance people’s quality of life: 

• The Just City - providing equal opportunities and environmental justice for all, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, age and origin – leaving no one behind.
• The Green City – contributing to combatting global warming and to high environmental quality for air, water, soil and land use, as well as access to green and recreational spaces.
• The Productive City – ensuring jobs while providing a sound financial base for sustainable urban development through diversified local economies and supportive environments for innovation.

Download the New Leipzig Agenda from our media centre.