How a society deals with its environment depends on how it organizes its coexistence. It makes a big difference to the climate whether social inequalities or a strong democracy dominate; whether a homo oeconomicus or a homo solidaricus is at work. Sustainability begins with the transformation of social relationships. It requires colorful alliances and new forms of governance - such as citizen-public partnerships instead of public-private partnerships.
Transformation is best achieved locally, because every place is a society in miniature. So how about the city as a common good? Or with the neighborhood as an "extended residential community" that co-determines transport and housing policy? Transformation is best learned in practice. Insights and lessons learned from 15 years of transformative work in Cologne, Berlin and Bremen.