By 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in cities. It is essential for human and environmental wellbeing that cities are places where people and nature can thrive.

Tranquil City has been working with communities, campaigners, volunteers and the inhabitants of London over the past few years to present a way of city life that can be healthy, mindful, slow and environmentally responsible.

We have condensed our thoughts into The Tranquil City Manifesto, a vision for what we believe are cities that enable human beings to thrive, alongside a healthy and well environment.

This is set out in the following three sections where we: consider Three Key Issues of Urban Living ; outline our Vision, Mission & Actions ; and share our Thoughts on Urban Living for the Future (defining what The Tranquil City is and our top priorities for building it).

If our manifesto resonates and you’d like to collaborate, please get in touch with Chloe at chloe@tranquilcity.co.uk.

Three Key Issues of Urban Living

We consider these to be:

  1. Exposure to noise and air pollution negatively affects physical and mental health and wellbeing.
  2. Heightened levels of stress and anxiety due to urban lifestyles and environments, such as the pace of life, loneliness and lack of opportunities for rest, recuperation and community.
  3. Rapidly decreasing space for nature, wildlife and the resulting detachment of people from the natural world.

We believe cities should encourage healthy, environmentally friendly lives that are connected to nature. We shouldn’t have to move to the countryside to lead a healthy life, cities should do better.

Our Vision, Mission & Actions

Tranquil City’s vision is to make the world’s cities greener, healthier & more sustainable for everyone.

We do this by bringing together multi-disciplinary experts to create holistic, data-led interventions that make it easier to design and experience greener, healthier & more sustainable cities.

Our work aims to do two things:

  1. Inform planning and design of restorative green infrastructure in cities.
  2. Encourage people’s experience and appreciation of nature in cities.

We believe that our success relies on how well we achieve these aims:

  • for the most disadvantaged in society,
  • in partnership with the community,
  • in any city in the world.

Our Thoughts on Urban Living for the Future

We believe that a city is a place where we should all be able to live well and have healthy and fulfilled lives. Many people consider this a radical act. Cities are not inherently bad for us, in fact, they are the places in which humans have thrived for millennia, being focal points for the arts, culture, science, intellectual-thought, society and democracy. They act as catalysts for ideas and present tremendous opportunities. The threats of urban life are not inescapable. We all have the agency to make choices to improve the city and its impact on our environment. 

Our definition of The Tranquil City

The city radiates with optimism

As we celebrate its strengths, embrace opportunities, and strive to enhance the lives of its people, wildlife, and environment.

Nature intertwines with daily life

Where every resident can access rejuvenating green spaces within a 10-minute walk from their home, nurturing health, wellbeing, and biodiversity, while promoting wildlife habitats and corridors.

Walking, cycling and wheeling take precedence

As they become the preferred modes of transport, offering convenience, pleasure, and benefits for health, the local community, and the planet.

Clean air and harmonious soundscapes prevail

As air quality meets global standards and the sounds of nature, vibrancy, and the pulse of life coexist in perfect balance, fostering health and wellbeing for all.

Green spaces and informal greening are community-led, in partnership with local government

Empowering all to engage in local activities, learn about food cultivation and wildlife-friendly practices, and forge strong social bonds.

Green infrastructure is designed with wildlife in mind

Acknowledging that the provision of habitats and corridors is equally important as space for humans.

Transparency guides urban regeneration

Ensuring that the voices and needs of the community are at the forefront of decision-making processes and that greening isn’t synonymous with green gentrification.

Inclusive nature-based activities cater to diverse interests

Promoting regular engagement and enjoyment of nature to support health, wellbeing, and contact with the natural world.

Neighbourhoods are designed with adaptability and resilience in mind

Harmonising the needs of people, nature, and climate, while being prepared to face the challenges of a changing world.

Our 5 priorities to help build The Tranquil City

1 Data accessibility

We will democratise high-quality environmental data, making it affordable and easily accessible to all towns and cities, emphasising data clarity and user-friendliness, to support addressing inequalities and inequities and identifying interventions that support the creation of healthy, green, and restorative urban environments

2 Measuring benefits

We will develop practical and thorough methods and toolkits to measure the multiple social and environmental benefits that local urban greening interventions provide to people, nature, and climate. We will effectively communicate these benefits to key stakeholders and the public to build a stronger case for investing in and developing healthy, green, and restorative urban spaces (SDG 11).

3Targeted research

We will conduct, collate, and promote research on the design and planning of urban greening interventions in places that are in desperate need and where the risks are greatest (SDG 11). We will ensure that the findings are widely disseminated and used to inform policy and decision-making processes to drive tangible improvements in these communities.

4Inclusive activities & designs

We will create and promote activities and designs that encourage more inclusive use and enjoyment of urban green spaces and infrastructure, engaging with diverse communities to understand their needs and preferences. We will incorporate this feedback to ensure that everyone feels safe, at ease, and welcome in these spaces, promoting inclusive access and use of green spaces and healthier urban environments (SDG 3, SDG 10).

5Positive narratives & interventions

We will engage communities with positive narratives and tailored digital interventions focused on promoting active travel and its various health, wellbeing, and environmental benefits. We will provide relatable examples and stories to counteract the hype against LTNs and similar initiatives (SDG 3.4).