Publications
Wildfire Risk in Europe: What the 2026 Fire Season Is Really Costing
Europe’s 2026 wildfire season shows how heat, drought and extreme weather are reshaping wildfire risk across the continent. From Spain and France to the Balkans, the growing costs point to an urgent need for fire-resilient landscapes and stronger prevention
Read MoreWildfire Risk in Europe: What the 2026 Fire Season Is Really CostingUrban Light Pollution: How Cities Can Balance Safety, Nature and the Night Sky
Artificial light at night supports urban safety and mobility, yet excessive and poorly designed lighting affects ecosystems, sleep, energy use and the visibility of the night sky. This article examines the pace of light pollution, its consequences in Europe, and three possible approaches to designing safer and more sustainable urban lighting.
Read MoreUrban Light Pollution: How Cities Can Balance Safety, Nature and the Night SkyFrom Granada to Every European City: iQuantum, Built to Test and Scale Urban Innovation Across Europe
Granada is positioning artificial intelligence as a key tool for urban innovation, with iQuantum providing a real-world environment to test, demonstrate and scale AI solutions for cities. In this partner interview, Vito Episcopo, Deputy Mayor of Granada, discusses the city’s AI strategy, its innovation ecosystem, and opportunities for collaboration between European cities.
Read MoreFrom Granada to Every European City: iQuantum, Built to Test and Scale Urban Innovation Across EuropeDigital Energy, New Vulnerabilities: Why Cyber Resilience Matters for the Energy Transition
How secure is an energy system increasingly run through software, data and millions of connected devices? This article explores how digitalisation is reshaping energy security, from smart grids and battery storage to cyber resilience, regulation and the vulnerabilities emerging across an increasingly connected power system.
Read MoreDigital Energy, New Vulnerabilities: Why Cyber Resilience Matters for the Energy TransitionThe Environmental Impact of AI: Energy, Water and Land Behind the Digital Boom
AI may seem weightless and digital, but its rapid expansion depends on increasingly resource-intensive infrastructure. Drawing on new research from UNU-INWEH and the IEA, this article looks beyond carbon emissions to explore how the AI boom is reshaping demand for energy, water and land, and why these pressures are becoming an issue for infrastructure planning.
Read MoreThe Environmental Impact of AI: Energy, Water and Land Behind the Digital BoomLow River Levels and Urban Resilience: Europe’s Hidden Infrastructure Risk
Europe’s record-low river levels in the summer of 2026 disrupted far more than navigation, affecting power generation, transport, tourism and industrial supply chains. The events reveal why rivers should be viewed not only as natural landscapes but also as critical infrastructure essential to urban resilience.
Read MoreLow River Levels and Urban Resilience: Europe’s Hidden Infrastructure RiskCycling Infrastructure in the Western Balkans: Why Streets Must Work for People, Not Cars
Cycling is increasingly recognised as one of the most effective investments in sustainable urban mobility, yet cities across the Western Balkans continue to struggle with car dependency and limited cycling infrastructure. In this interview, one of Serbia’s leading cycling advocates discusses the progress being made, the political and cultural barriers that remain, and why cycling infrastructure in the Western Balkans is essential for healthier, more liveable and more resilient cities.
Read MoreCycling Infrastructure in the Western Balkans: Why Streets Must Work for People, Not CarsWorld Cup Stadiums: Land, Power and the Urban Legacy Beyond Football
World Cup stadiums are more than sporting venues—they are long-term urban development projects that reshape land use, investment and governance. Their legacy depends not only on architecture or sustainability, but on how they transform the cities and communities around them.
Read MoreWorld Cup Stadiums: Land, Power and the Urban Legacy Beyond FootballUN SDG Report 2026: Progress Continues, but the Window for Delivery Is Closing
The UN SDG Report 2026 presents a balanced assessment of global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting significant achievements alongside growing implementation challenges. The report argues that financing, institutional capacity and trustworthy data have become the decisive factors for delivering the 2030 Agenda.
Read MoreUN SDG Report 2026: Progress Continues, but the Window for Delivery Is ClosingUrban Tree Planting: A Community Solution for Healthier Cities
As cities become hotter and more densely populated, trees are no longer just an aesthetic feature but an essential part of urban infrastructure. This article explains why urban tree planting matters for public health, climate adaptation and community engagement, while introducing Serbia’s “Plant Your Shade” initiative.
Read MoreUrban Tree Planting: A Community Solution for Healthier Cities