Impact One attends Second Davos Baukultur Alliance Annual Meeting
After signing the Davos Baukultur Alliance in June 2023, Impact One returns to the Annual Meeting alongside public and private sector stakeholders to improve the planning, construction, and management of buildings, infrastructure, public spaces, and landscapes.
Geneva, Switzerland – A committed member of the World Economic Forum’s Davos Baukultur Alliance, Impact One returned to its second Annual Meeting held at the Forum’s headquarters in Geneva. The theme of the 2024 gathering, “Shaping the Places of Tomorrow,” brought together global leaders to discuss the future of our built environments and the essential role of high-quality Baukultur.
Integral to this approach is the enhancement of social value, as Baukultur seeks to create spaces that foster community wellbeing and social cohesion. With public sector leaders increasingly being called on to better serve the needs of their residents, the concept of delivering social value has come into sharper focus.
To unpack the value chain within Baukultur, Impact One was the firestarter of the strategic session entitled “Investing in Place: Social Value in Regeneration” with panelists Dr. Steffen Sommer, Director General of Misk Schools; Shira de Bourbon Parme, Urban Wellbeing and Innovation Lead, Regenerative Cities of Ramboll Group; Eime Tobari, Social Value Director at Avison Young │UK; Anne Kessler of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building; and Mikolaj Sekutowicz, CEO of Impact One.
Social Value is a principle that champions the holistic wellbeing of both current and future generations. Emphasizing the importance of supporting both individual welfare and planetary sustainability, it traverses three central areas:
- Social: Enhancing the well-being of individuals and communities, advocating for interconnectedness and mutual support.
- Economic: Promoting economic policies and business practices that uplift societal well-being, recognizing that economic prosperity should be intertwined with societal progress.
- Environmental: Critical sustainable processes look after both the social and physical environment, ensuring a viable future for all.
At the basis of all social value is nature. Integrating it into the built environment ensures that urban development supports environmental sustainability, public health, and a deeper connection to the natural world. Making nature an integral part of the value chain is vital to the creation of more resilient cities and to the enhancement of life for all communities and species.
Human and planetary health is intrinsically interconnected, yet societies and urban areas have separated the two, which has led to detrimental impacts. But by reflecting the connection once again within our cities, not only is a connection reestablished to the natural world around us, but it comes with the added benefits of improved environmental, mental and physical health, as well as the protection and regeneration of nature within those urban spaces.
It also leads to greater stewardship of local environments by all stakeholders. If we are to create nature-positive futures at a global scale, stewardship must be acknowledged as a responsibility shared by all and it begins with educating children from a young age. Highlighted in the discussion by Dr. Steffen Sommer of Misk Schools, early exposure to nature-based solutions fosters respect and understanding for the environment and integrating Baukultur principles into educational models can nurture students who are dedicated to stewardship and sustainability.
Prioritizing, investing in, and implementing nature-based practices are crucial steps towards making environmentally- and economically-conscious decisions that lead to sustainable and resilient futures. By embedding these principles into urban planning and development, we contribute to the creation of nature-positive urban societies that prioritize cultural, social and environmental needs, while delivering better outcomes for cities and communities. It is an approach that also aligns with the resilience and climate adaptation goals of the Nature Positive Cities Initiative, where Impact One is a member of the Global Commission.
Impact One officially joined the Davos Baukultur Alliance during the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale in commitment to advancing the quality and culture of our living environments. Focused on the quality-oriented transformation of our living environments, high-quality Baukultur (building culture) promotes the thoughtful planning, construction, and management of buildings, infrastructure, public spaces, and landscapes.
21 June 2024
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