What we know: Drawing on the Doughnut Economic (DE) model as a framework for evaluating whether public-private partnerships (PPP) could contribute to more sustainable cities and communities, Fell and Mattsson (2021) examined PPPs in the Nordic housing context. Their review highlight shortcomings in several DE model indicators - social equity, political voice, social networks, climate change, land conversion and biodiversity - and ultimately they conclude that PPPs in their current form are unjust, exclude local actors and rely on neoliberal justifications. To reform PPPs to become more aligned with sustainability and the DE model, Fell and Mattsson (2021) made several recommendations for PPPs that included but were not limited to: 1) increase community and resident participation and collaboration; 2) integrate principles of fairness in distributing housing developments and resources; 3) use metagovernance structures (e.g., PPP sharing power with residents via a housing association and/or through social services); and 4) go beyond the target of economic growth and adopt a more holistic approach that address socio-ecological concerns.

Examples of implementation: To illustrate how current asymmetrical power structures in existing forms of PPPs within the Nordic housing context, Fell and Mattsson (2021) cite a case example from Gothenburg (Sweden), in residents and property owners of the Gustaf Dalén neighbourhood were unable to influence a PPP's redevelopment plans for the area and were subsequently forced out for their neighbourhood. ".

Examples of implementation: In Mexico City (Mexico), a programme installed motion sensors devices within subway stations, which provided commuters with a free transport ticket if they performed 10 squats (Danielli et al., 2021). Within the Netherlands, France and Australia, initiatives have installed free bike riding stations that can generate power via pedalling to charge electronics like phones (Danielli et al., 2021).

Further description: Renovation projects could be required to adopt and integrate high energy efficiency standards (e.g. UK’s Code for Sustainable Homes; the international Passivhaus Standard) and/or Green Building certifications (LEED, BREEAM, DGNB).