Doughnut Economics: a compass to guide urban development

In this chapter, we introduce the global Doughnut framework, developed by Kate Raworth, which addresses the social challenges and planetary boundaries humanity faces in the 21st century. This visionary framework provides valuable guidance on how to navigate the complexities of endless growth, emphasising the importance of addressing social issues such as inequality, poverty, and access to basic needs while respecting the ecological limits of our planet. By doing so, we can pave the way for a sustainable and inclusive future.

We then introduce the ‘Doughnut Principles of Practice,’ which offer practical guidelines for effective decision-making and action. These principles encourage us to adopt a holistic perspective, enabling us to think in terms of interconnected systems, promoting fairness and equity in distribution, nurture human well-being, embrace regenerative practices, prioritise overall planetary well-being instead of letting growth be the goal itself, and to employ strategic thinking in our endeavours.

Further applying the Doughnut framework to the realm of urban development, we introduce the ‘Doughnut Unrolled’ methodology which involves examining the relationship between local aspirations and global responsibilities through four lenses. These lenses provide a framework to analyse and understand how the aspirations of local urban developments can align with the broader global responsibilities of safeguarding the well-being of all people and the health of our living planet This approach facilitates the practical application of Doughnut Economics in the context of urban development, laying out the foundations for the chapters that follow in this book.