The New European Bauhaus (NEB) is more than just an aesthetic movement; it is a call to action to rethink cities and economies through the lens of sustainability, inclusion, and beauty. As the European Green Deal sets ambitious environmental goals, the NEB has emerged as a critical cultural and economic driver, blending creativity and sustainability to shape the cities of tomorrow. Launched by the European Commission in 2020, the NEB aims to integrate sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetics into urban planning. By emphasizing a holistic approach, the NEB ensures that environmental concerns are intertwined with cultural and social dimensions. The NEB fosters cross-sector collaboration, encouraging architects, artists, urban planners, and local communities to co-design spaces that are not only functional but also ecologically sound and socially inclusive. This collaborative approach drives innovative solutions that align with Green Economy principles.
The Green Economy and the Future of Urban Transformation
With three-quarters of the European population living in cities, how we design, use, and transform urban spaces directly impacts sustainability. The traditional model of urban expansion is giving way to regenerative approaches that prioritize reusing and adapting existing structures. Green Economy principles, including resource efficiency, circular design, and low-carbon infrastructure, are guiding this transformation. Urban regeneration now goes beyond aesthetics and social cohesion; it has become a vital strategy for achieving environmental resilience and economic sustainability.
The Role of Communities in Green Urbanism
Sustainable urban regeneration relies on active community participation. Bottom-up initiatives, such as reclaiming abandoned spaces for cultural or social purposes, show how grassroots movements can drive both environmental and economic change. When communities engage in co-designing their environments, they contribute to more resilient, circular, and inclusive economies. However, challenges remain. Communities are often viewed as passive recipients rather than active stakeholders. To fully integrate Green Economy principles, policies must empower local actors by providing them with the resources and decision-making power to shape their surroundings.
Amager Bakke: A Model of NEB and Green Urbanism
Amager Bakke (CopenHill) in Copenhagen is a striking example of NEB philosophy in action. This waste-to-energy plant doubles as a recreational space, with a rooftop ski slope, hiking trails, and green areas—all integrated into a highly efficient energy facility. Designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), the project demonstrates how sustainability, functionality, and beauty can coexist.
Amager Bakke embodies Green Economy principles by converting waste into energy while offering public spaces that promote social inclusion and outdoor activities. It redefines urban infrastructure, presenting it not as an isolated industrial zone but as a multifunctional space that serves both ecological and societal needs. This project exemplifies the NEB vision by showing that environmental responsibility can seamlessly integrate with urban life.
Solarpunk: A Visionary Aesthetic for Green Urbanism
The New European Bauhaus aligns closely with the solarpunk movement, a vision of a future where technology, ecology, and human creativity merge to create sustainable and harmonious environments. Solarpunk envisions cities covered in vertical gardens, powered by renewable energy, and designed with collaboration and social equity in mind. This vision not only aligns with NEB principles but demonstrates that sustainability can be both efficient and beautiful, enhancing quality of life. Solarpunk-inspired projects emphasize community-led innovation, biomimetic architecture, and nature-integrated design—trends increasingly influencing contemporary urban planning. In this context, art and culture play a crucial role in the transition. Creativity can inspire behavioural change, making sustainability desirable and accessible. The NEB highlights the intersection of art, science, and technology to imagine new ways of living that harmonize with the environment. Public art projects using sustainable materials or interactive urban installations raise environmental awareness and generate green jobs, stimulate local economies, and show that sustainability is not a constraint but an opportunity for innovation.
Towards a Regenerative Future
Both the Green Economy and NEB share a common goal: creating cities that are not only liveable but regenerative. By transforming spaces into thriving places, we move toward a model where urban regeneration is synonymous with environmental responsibility and social well-being. The NEB reminds us that sustainability must go hand-in-hand with beauty and inclusivity. The challenge is to ensure that urban transformation becomes not just a policy objective but a shared cultural and economic endeavour—one that invites every citizen to participate in creating a greener, fairer, and more beautiful world.
The transition to green urbanism requires bold action from policymakers, designers, businesses, and citizens alike. Whether through large-scale infrastructure projects or small community-led interventions, each effort contributes to a more sustainable and liveable future. The time to act is now—to reimagine cities as thriving, equitable, and ecologically balanced spaces for generations to come.