Sustainable Urbanization
Digital Construction and the Future City: Where the Industry Stalled
Digital construction is becoming increasingly important for the future of smart cities, yet the industry continues to lag behind other sectors in digital transformation. The article explores how fragmented systems, limited building data and slow standardization are affecting urban sustainability, renovation strategies and the development of data-driven cities.
Read MoreDigital Construction and the Future City: Where the Industry StalledIndustrial Infrastructure Design: How Cities Are Reimagining Power Plants
Cities are responsible for the majority of global energy use. According to the International Energy Agency, urban areas account for around 70–75% of global energy consumption, and that share is expected to grow as urbanization continues. This makes energy infrastructure…
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,…
Beyond Positive Energy Districts: What EU Urban Energy Projects Deliver
This article examines how EU-funded urban energy projects are implemented in practice, comparing their approaches, results and limitations. It explores what these initiatives actually deliver and how relevant they are for cities beyond the EU core, including the Western Balkans.
Read MoreBeyond Positive Energy Districts: What EU Urban Energy Projects DeliverWhere Is Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration Headed in 2026?
This article explores how Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration is evolving from pilot projects to large-scale urban systems, based on developments in China’s leading cities. It highlights key challenges, emerging business models, and what this shift could mean for the future of smart mobility and urban infrastructure.
Read MoreWhere Is Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration Headed in 2026?Air Pollution in Skopje: Causes, Consequences and Path to Solutions
This study investigates the extent and structural factors contributing to Air Pollution in Skopje, particularly during the winter seasons of 2025 and 2026, when pollution levels exceeded critical limits. The study emphasizes the interaction between old-fashioned heating methods, transportation emissions, industries, and geographic constraints that have made Skopje one of the world’s most polluted cities.
In addition, the paper explores the adverse impacts on public health and reviews current policy measures, noting their shortcomings. Finally, the study proposes a number of systematic strategies essential for improving the air quality situation in Skopje.
Read MoreAir Pollution in Skopje: Causes, Consequences and Path to SolutionsLocal Energy Security in Central and Eastern Europe: The Urban Energy Shift
This article explores how Local Energy Security is reshaping energy systems in Central and Eastern Europe. It highlights the growing role of cities in driving renewable energy adoption, improving resilience, and navigating governance constraints. Case studies from Warsaw, Prague, and Ljubljana illustrate both progress and structural challenges.
Read MoreLocal Energy Security in Central and Eastern Europe: The Urban Energy ShiftCycling Advocacy in Europe: How the European Cyclists’ Federation Is Shaping the Future of Urban Mobility
In this interview, Henk Swarttouw, President of the European Cyclists’ Federation, shares insights on the future of cycling in Europe and beyond. He discusses the role of cycling in sustainable urban mobility, the challenges of building a pan-European cycling network, and practical steps to accelerate change. The conversation also highlights actionable recommendations for cities with low cycling levels.
Read MoreCycling Advocacy in Europe: How the European Cyclists’ Federation Is Shaping the Future of Urban MobilityAre Smart Cities Smart Enough? Beyond the Dashboard
This article examines whether current smart city models are sufficient to address the complex challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and urban resilience. While cities increasingly adopt data-driven technologies to optimise infrastructure and services, these systems often overlook ecological processes and living systems that are critical to long-term sustainability.
Read MoreAre Smart Cities Smart Enough? Beyond the DashboardChina Transportation Digitalization: Where Will It Lead by 2036?
This article explores how China transportation digitalization could transform mobility into a “spatial intelligence layer” by 2036. It examines governance models, infrastructure logic, and new value ecosystems emerging from this shift. The analysis highlights how coordination, not speed, will define the future of transport systems.
Read MoreChina Transportation Digitalization: Where Will It Lead by 2036?