The Best Climate Activist is a Good Urban Planner • Guest: Hélène Chartier

The Best Climate Activist is a Good Urban Planner. Unlike sectors such as buildings, transport, or waste management, urban planning is not classified as an emissions sector. As a result, local and national governments rarely report on their land-use policies when sharing emissions data or climate actions. However, evidence suggests that the way we plan our cities and towns will play a critical role in addressing the climate crisis. By 2050, urban areas are projected to triple in size, with the expansion of cities' built areas outpacing population growth by as much as 50%. This trend is driven by a status quo that prioritizes outward growth and larger developments, even when unnecessary. This approach is not only highly emissions-intensive but also exposes cities to greater climate risks. Urban expansion frequently encroaches on areas vulnerable to hazards like flooding, heat waves, and fires. Alarmingly, urban growth in flood-prone areas is outpacing growth in low-risk zones, and the situation is even more dire in the Global South, where 90% of urban expansion occurs in hazard-prone areas. For this reason, urban planners are key players in the fight against climate change. They are adopting innovative approaches to reduce emissions while making cities more resilient to climate risks—that are already escalating globally and are expected to worsen in the coming decades. In an upcoming webinar, Hélène Chartier, Director of Urban Planning and Design at C40, will spotlight how urban planners worldwide are taking bold actions to reshape our cities. From redesigning urban landscapes to implementing sustainable land-use strategies, these planners are paving the way for more resilient, low-emission urban future. Hélène Chartier Hélène Chartier is the Director of Urban Planning and Design at C40 Cities, where she leads efforts to help cities accelerate the adoption of sustainable, resilient urban planning policies and design practices. Her team drives several key initiatives, including the C40 Land Use Planning Network, which helps cities integrate climate action into their masterplans and land use policies; the Green & Thriving Neighborhoods program, which works to make the 15-minute city concept a reality; and Reinventing Cities, a global competition series that fosters decarbonized, resilient urban regeneration projects and mobilize businesses, academia, and youth to accelerate sustainable urban transformation. Before joining C40, Hélène served as an advisor to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, and worked with the Paris Urbanism Agency and global consulting firm Arup. She holds a master’s degree in science and engineering from École Centrale, specializing in environment and construction. Over the past 15 years, Hélène has lived and worked in Paris, London, and New York.