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    • 05 April 2019

      The SDG's is the Common Language Municipalities Needed

      In a time of complex problems, the UN17 Sustainable Development Goals provide a common language to guide positive growth in municipalities everywhere. 

    • As the UN SDG’s become increasingly well-known and wide-spread, their potential as a point of reference to ensure positive growth in municipalities is strengthening. If municipalities know how to use them.

      This was the message at a recent morning seminar hosted by Henning Larsen and Seismonaut.

      With presentations from Rune Kock, Partner in NREP, Freja Ludvigsen, Head of Industrial Development in Gladsaxe Municipality, Signe Kongebro, Partner in Henning Larsen and Anna Porse Nielsen, Director in Seismonaut, the discussion on SDGs made clear the transformative potential of the goals. First and foremost, the SDGs facilitate a common language across businesses, which can benefit nascent partnerships. But it is not just at an organizational level that the SDG’s can make a difference. They can do this in every part of the chain throughout the municipality, from building projects to sorting garbage.

      The big chain

      “They are a language to join forces around, one that makes us able to act. An operational framework we can wrap around all the activities in the municipality that shifts initiatives from abstract to concrete. From sorting garbage to implementing viable business models to selecting materials in residential projects. If the municipality gets a hold on this entire chain, it can create much more visible and positive results,” says Signe Kongebro, Partner at Henning Larsen, Signe Kongebro.

      “When municipalities use the SDG’s as a framework for their work to improve sustainability efforts, it makes our role as collaborating architects that much easier, because the goals are easy to communicate among investors, citizens, and end-users. It creates a stronger cohesion.“

      During the seminar, Anna Porse Nielsen, director in Seismonaut, supplemented the talks with advice on how municipalities can get local industry on board with the goals.

      “To get local industries to commit and engage in the SDG’s, we must make sure they also harmonize with local business plans,” she said.

      Among the participants were participants from nine different Danish municipalities. It was held at Henning Larsen’s Copenhagen studio on Wednesday, April 3.