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ESG CITY
Making our cities smarter, better & greener

Cities play a critical role in the health of people, communities, nations and the globe. They house around 4.4 billion people which is 56% of the worlds population.  It is estimated that this will increase to 70% of people by 2050 (World Bank).  Cities are also key drivers of growth, currently generating some 80% of global GDP, and playing a central role in connecting people, businesses, technology and ideas.

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But there is a need for urgent improvement. Cities produce about 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making them a significant contributor to climate change.  They are also often ill-prepared to deal with the impacts of climate change to the risk of the people and infrastructure that inhabit them.  

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There is also a concern around the standards of living in cities, a key target for the levelling-up agenda. With the cost of living crisis impacting millions of people, an ever-increasing housing and homelessness crisis disproportionately hitting cities and questions around city transport and the role of the high-street, it is clear that there is a lot to do to make our cities thrive in the future.

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DJB is committed to helping our clients and the wider real estate sector to create solutions that make our cities smarter, better and greener, a vital part of ensuring the wellbeing of the people that live within them.  On this page, you will find out about some of the key issues and solutions that need be considered for policy, strategy and planning. â€‹

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Knowledge & Insights

Recent Posts

Key Contacts

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Madeleine Davitt 
Senior Partner
madeleine.davitt@djblaw.co.uk 
+44 (0)20 3026 8295

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Malcolm Iley 
Non-Executive
malcolm.iley@djblaw.co.uk 
+44 (0)20 7870 7500

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Sue McCormick
Client Director - Local Government 
sue.mccormick@djblaw.co.uk 
+44 (0)20 3026 2824 

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Yvonne Hills
Client Director 
yvonne.hills@djblaw.co.uk 
+44 (0)203 026 3467

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Stephen Chalcraft 
Partner - Real Estate
stephen.chalcraft@djblaw.co.uk 
+44 (0)161 399 8202

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Yohanna Weber 
Partner - Planning
yohanna.weber@djblaw.co.uk
+44 (0)20 3026 9276

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Stephanie Hall
Partner - Planning 
stephanie.hall@djblaw.co.uk 
+44 (0)1613 990127

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Nigel Hewitson
Partner - Planning & Heritage
nigel.hewitson@djblaw.co.uk 
+44 (0)20 3026 1873

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Matthew Needham-Laing
Partner - Construction
matthew.needham-laing@djblaw.co.uk
+44 (0)20 7189 1793

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Melanie Greer-Walker
Partner - Real Estate
melanie.greer-walker@djblaw.co.uk 
+44 (0)203 026 9638

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Sean Palka
Partner - Real Estate 
sean.palka@djblaw.co.uk 
+44 (0)20 3026 2621 

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Gillian Lewis
Partner - Real Estate 
gillian.lewis@djblaw.co.uk 
+44 (0)20 3026 2925

ABOUT DAVITT JONES BOULD​

As the largest, most experienced law firm specialising in real estate in the UK, we have been trusted advisors to the real estate market for 25 years. We have over 75 lawyers, all of whom joined us from senior in-house or private practice roles, and bring an average of 25 years’ post qualification experience each. With their expertise and commercial experience, we advise a prestigious client base in the public and private sector on the full spectrum of real estate legal issues, including commercial property, planning, property litigation, construction, environment, real estate finance and other related areas. Operating in our specialist area uniquely positions us to help other professional firms, and through our Real Estate Support solution we support teams in the silver circle, UK Top 30, US Top 50, the Big Four and beyond.

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