The Mannheim Message: A Framework for Sustainable European Cities

The Mannheim Message represents a significant policy framework that emerged as a local response to the European Green Deal. Finalised by European Mayors on 21 September 2020, it was formally presented to the European Commission on 1 October 2020 during the 9th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns, hosted by ICLEI Europe and the City of Mannheim, Germany.

Origins and Development

The Mannheim Message builds upon previous sustainability commitments in European urban policy, specifically the Aalborg Charter (1994), the Aalborg Commitments (2004), and the Basque Declaration (2016). It reflects the integrated approach to sustainable urban and regional development supported by the Leipzig Charter.

The framework was developed during a particularly challenging period, four years after the 8th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns. This was a time when the urgency of climate action had intensified, and the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed economic vulnerabilities and social inequalities across Europe. Against this backdrop, the Mannheim Message emerged as a collective response from local authorities to address these challenges through sustainable transformation.

Core Principles and Policy Shifts

The Mannheim Message calls for five core systemic changes:

1. Transformation of infrastructure - Reimagining urban systems to support sustainability
2. Development beyond growth - Moving past GDP-centric economic models
3. Cooperation and inclusion - Building communities based on participation and transparency
4. A culture of sufficiency - Prioritising circularity and optimisation over efficiency and maximisation
5. Reorientation toward the common good - Implementing governance models that strengthen community welfare

Additionally, the framework outlines nine key policy shifts needed to facilitate transformation:

1. Safeguarding public income
2. Shifting taxes away from labour
3. Sufficient financial support
4. Local value chains
5. Integrated land use
6. New use of urban space
7. Needs-driven research
8. Replacing products with services
9. Guaranteed living income

Local Green Deals: The Implementation Mechanism

The most significant innovation of the Mannheim Message is the introduction of "Local Green Deals" as practical implementation tools for the European Green Deal. These localised agreements represent concrete commitments by cities and regions to implement sustainable practices at the community level.

The concept recognises that approximately 70% of EU legislation, 70% of climate mitigation measures, and 90% of climate adaptation actions are implemented by local and regional authorities. These authorities also handle one-third of public spending and manage two-thirds of public investment, making them crucial partners in achieving sustainability goals.

Current Relevance and Impact

Since its launch in October 2020, the Mannheim Message has gained significant traction across Europe. By October 2021, it had been endorsed by 54 cities or regions, 61 organisations, and 127 individuals. The European Commission welcomed the initiative, with Diederik Samsom, Head of Cabinet of Frans Timmermans, acknowledging the importance of local-level inspiration for EU-wide policies.

The city of Mannheim itself has become a pioneer in implementing the framework, positioning itself as a pilot city for Local Green Deals in Europe. In July 2021, Mannheim's municipal council adopted its initial Local Green Deal, setting an ambitious target for climate neutrality by 2030. This implementation approach, branded as "iDEAL für Mannheim," emphasises collaboration between citizens, politics, administration, business, and research to create a greener, cleaner, and healthier urban environment.

The European Commission further recognised Mannheim's leadership by selecting it in April 2022 for the EU Mission "100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030." Together with Aachen and Münster, Mannheim has developed the CoLAB project to advance its climate neutrality goals through the Local Green Deal approach.

Significance for the Built Environment

For the built environment sector in Europe, the Mannheim Message represents a shift towards more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban development. It emphasises the importance of transforming infrastructure, rethinking land use, and reimagining urban spaces to meet climate and sustainability goals.

The framework acknowledges that cities and regions are not merely implementers of EU policies but should be key partners in their development. This partnership approach is particularly relevant for the built environment, where local context and community needs significantly influence the success of sustainability initiatives.

Through Local Green Deals, cities like Mannheim are demonstrating how the built environment can be transformed to support climate neutrality while enhancing quality of life. These localised agreements provide a mechanism for engaging stakeholders across sectors in the shared work of creating sustainable urban environments.

The Mannheim Message continues to influence European urban policy and practice, offering a blueprint for how cities and regions can contribute to broader sustainability goals while addressing local needs and priorities.

References

1. About the Mannheim Message - European Sustainable Cities Platform

https://sustainablecities.eu/mannheim-message/about-the-mannheim-message/

2. The lasting impact of Mannheim2020 - Sustain Europe

https://www.sustaineurope.com/the-lasting-impact-of-mannheim2020-201228.html

3. Action catalysed by the Mannheim Message one year on

https://iclei-europe.org/news?Action_catalysed_by_the_Mannheim_Message_one_year_on_&newsID=dDql6oLF

4. iDEAL für Mannheim - Der Local Green Deal

https://www.mannheim.de/de/stadt-gestalten/local-green-deal

5. Conference History - ESCT Conference

https://conferences.sustainablecities.eu/about/conference-history

6. The Mannheim Message

http://conferences.sustainablecities.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/Materials/Mannheim-Message.pdf