The Doughnut for Urban Development

Download the full publication for free or buy the physical book

Download all the open-source resources

The Doughnut for Urban Development is an open-source project and all the resources can be downloaded for free. We hope they will be valuable to you - and that you will help us share them with relevant people and organisations.
A digital download of the Manual in Danish and English
Download (EN)Download (DK)
The Appendix provides the scientific basis for the content described in the Manual
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The Database gives an overview of the frameworks behind the impact areas described in the Manual
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The Toolbox contains the Biodiversity Tools developed as part of the project
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Doughnut Economics starts with the goal: meeting the needs of all people within the means of the living planet - and from here it asks, what kind of economic thinking and practice will give us even half a chance of getting there?

Kate Raworth

Co-founder and Conceptual Lead
Doughnut Economics Action Lab

A manual to guide ambitious urban actors

What is Doughnut Economics?

Doughnut Economics combines social, planetary, and economic sustainability into one model. The focus of the model is on balance, aiming to work towards a regenerative and just future where both our planet and society thrive.

In the middle of the doughnut lies the Social Foundation, which defines 12 dimensions that are essential for a good life and a fair society, ranging from affordable quality housing to healthy indoor environments, social services, and good public spaces. It is important that we achieve all 12 dimensions in the Social Foundation.

Outside the doughnut, you’ll find the Planetary Ceiling, which defines the nine most crucial systems on our planet, such as biodiversity and climate change. It is important that we do not exceed any of the nine planetary boundaries.

Why is the manual relevant?

With the Doughnut for Urban Development we are using doughnut economics as a model for urban development and construction for the first time. Doughnut Economics has previously been used with great success globally and for urban strategies ranging from Amsterdam to Copenhagen.

We have developed the Manual to provide the entire industry with a practical tool to evaluate the sustainability of their projects and what they can do to make them even more sustainable. The manual embraces both social and planetary sustainability and incorporates both local and global dimensions.

We believe in open-source

The Doughnut for Urban Development is an open-source tool that we hope will benefit the entire industry. That’s why the entire book can be downloaded - completely free - and we hope that you will read it, use it, and share your experiences with the rest of the industry.

Time is ticking, and the temperature of our planet continues to rise - that’s why it is not enough to keep good solutions to ourselves. If we are to solve the challenges we face, we believe in collaboration and hope that the Doughnut for Urban Development can contribute to the journey towards a more sustainable and inclusive way of developing our cities.

Partners & contributors

The Doughnut for Urban Development is the product of two years of work involving leading researchers and actors from the built environment

Contact information

Press

Download our press release and factsheet about the project alongside graphics from the book
Press package

General inquiries

We’d love to hear from you - want to collaborate or use the Doughnut for Urban Development in your next project? Let’s talk!
Get in touch

Download resources

Download all the open-source resources for free here

Doughnut for Urban Development / Manual

The Doughnut for Urban Development Manual is available for free by digital download in both Danish and English. Share it with relevant stakeholders in your network

Doughnut for Urban Development / Appendix

The Doughnut for Urban Development Appendix is available for free by digital download in both Danish and English. The Appendix includes deep dives into the content described throughout the Manual including further methodology and the Off-site Biodiversity Tool that has been developed

Doughnut for Urban Development / Database

The Doughnut for Urban Development Database is the detailed frameworks and references behind the impact areas described in the social foundation and planetary ceiling. You can download for free and adjust to develop your own library of impact indicators

The Doughnut for Urban Development / Toolbox

The Toolbox contains the Biodiversity Tools developed as part of the project
Download (EN)
If you want to tackle the interconnected impacts and challenges of urban development - socially and ecologically, locally and globally - then this book is for you. And as the first manual for putting Doughnut Economics into practice at sectoral scale, I know this book will inspire others far beyond urban development too.

Andrew Fanning
Research & Data Analysis Lead
Doughnut Economics Action Lab
This book holistically describes urban development using the planetary boundaries framework. It provides a potent reminder about our journey towards the Anthropocene and illustrates how significant the impacts of human activities such as building cities are for the climate stability and healthy ecosystems that underpin the Earth system. A must read for all developers of the built environment who are keen to enable and accelerate the transition towards a sustainable future.

Thomas Elmqvist
Professor of Urban Ccology and Natural Resource Management
Stockholm Resilience Center