Quality Lifestyle
From Smart to Longevity Cities: Rethinking Urban Competitiveness
Can ageing societies remain competitive, and how will ageing cities respond to this challenge? Across OECD countries, population ageing is accelerating: the number of people aged 65+ has increased from 21 per 100 working-age individuals in 1994 to 33 today,…
Gender-Responsive Urban Planning: Why Cities Must Work for Women
The article considers how the infrastructure of the city often demonstrates gender disparities that may be present in the urban landscape. From gender-responsive facilities to transportation safety, many elements of urban space continue to serve men better than women. This article discusses the possibilities of gender-sensitive urban planning, taking into account examples from Vienna, Barcelona, and Seoul.
Read MoreGender-Responsive Urban Planning: Why Cities Must Work for WomenGender-Sensitive Snow Clearance: Why Winter Maintenance Is a Question of Urban Accessibility
The extraordinary snowfalls of early 2026 once again exposed structural weaknesses in urban winter maintenance systems. Gender-sensitive snow clearance, first implemented in Swedish cities, demonstrates how rethinking snow removal priorities can improve safety, equity, and cost efficiency in climate-stressed cities.
Read MoreGender-Sensitive Snow Clearance: Why Winter Maintenance Is a Question of Urban AccessibilitySustainable Holiday Celebrations in Cities: From Christmas Trees to Smart Urban Solutions
Holiday celebrations are placing growing pressure on urban environments through increased waste, energy consumption, and air pollution. This article examines the environmental implications of festive traditions, ranging from Christmas trees to fireworks, and demonstrates how sustainable holiday celebrations in cities can be promoted through intelligent technologies, data-driven planning, and informed consumer choices.
Read MoreSustainable Holiday Celebrations in Cities: From Christmas Trees to Smart Urban SolutionsThe New Urban Starter Home: How Cities Are Reinventing Affordable Urban Housing Solutions for a New Generation
Cties are under increasing pressure to deliver affordable urban housing solutions as young residents struggle with rising rents and limited supply. This article explores Beijing’s pioneering collective-land rental model alongside international examples from Vienna, Helsinki, Tokyo, Singapore and New York. Together, these cases reveal how innovative rental systems and data-driven policy can reshape the future of urban housing.
Read MoreThe New Urban Starter Home: How Cities Are Reinventing Affordable Urban Housing Solutions for a New GenerationAir Pollution Raises Risk of Dementia: Why Clean Air Is a Public Health Imperative
Growing evidence shows that long-term exposure to polluted air significantly increases the risk of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. This article highlights findings from a landmark global meta-analysis involving millions of participants, demonstrating clear links between air pollution and cognitive decline. The results underscore why improving air quality must be treated as an urgent public-health and urban-planning priority.
Read MoreAir Pollution Raises Risk of Dementia: Why Clean Air Is a Public Health ImperativeSustainable Food Systems: Feeding the Planet Without Destroying It
Sustainable food systems are essential to feeding a growing global population while reducing environmental harm. This article examines the ecological impacts of industrial agriculture and outlines emerging alternatives, from regenerative farming and urban food production to cultivated meat technologies. By rethinking how food is grown, distributed, and consumed, cities and communities can build more resilient, equitable, and climate-conscious food futures.
Read MoreSustainable Food Systems: Feeding the Planet Without Destroying ItTrees-as-Infrastructure: How Urban Nature Builds Cool, Green and Resilient Cities
Trees-as-Infrastructure is redefining how cities integrate nature into urban planning. By treating trees as critical infrastructure, this approach enhances climate resilience, reduces heat and flooding risks, and improves community well-being. The methodology, tested in Stuttgart, offers a scalable model for greener, healthier, and more sustainable cities worldwide.
Read MoreTrees-as-Infrastructure: How Urban Nature Builds Cool, Green and Resilient CitiesEdible City: How Urban Gardens Transform Cities Beyond Food
Edible cities integrate urban gardens into public spaces, delivering multiple social, ecological, and economic benefits beyond food production. From Andernach to Belgrade, European cities are piloting edible landscapes as infrastructure for climate adaptation, community building, and environmental education. Research shows that inclusive, co-designed programs yield stronger social outcomes than purely technological approaches. Practical guidance for planners emphasizes mapping, governance, skills pipelines, and a mosaic of micro-sites to maximize impact.
Read MoreEdible City: How Urban Gardens Transform Cities Beyond FoodThe Rise of City Harbor Swimming in Modern Cities
Harbor baths turn urban waterways into vibrant, accessible public spaces. City harbor swimming not only provides recreation but helps cities cope with rising heat and climate stress. Northern European cities like Copenhagen have shown how design, water quality management, and civic engagement can reclaim polluted harbors. Today, these spaces combine wellness, sustainability, and social inclusivity, redefining the city’s relationship with its water.
Read MoreThe Rise of City Harbor Swimming in Modern Cities