Publications
Is “Highways and Low-Altitude” a Viable Business Model?

The integration of China’s highway infrastructure with the growing low-altitude economy offers a cost-effective way to expand transport capacity. By converting underused service areas into drone hubs, upgrading navigation systems, and coordinating energy networks, the model can improve logistics efficiency, strengthen emergency response, and reduce emissions. This approach promises significant economic returns and social value, provided that policy, technology, and community engagement advance in step. The article is provided by our media partner 7ITSNEWS.
Read MoreIs “Highways and Low-Altitude” a Viable Business Model?The 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 CitiesSetting the Stage for Change: The Vision Behind the Upcoming SBS Leaders Forum

As part of our partnership with the Smart Building and Sustainability Leaders Forum, we spoke with Geoff Archenhold, Chair and Co-Founder of the event, to discuss the Forum’s unique approach to driving practical change in the built environment sector. Set to take place next month, the SBS Forum has quickly gained recognition as a vital platform for cross-sector collaboration on smart and sustainable buildings. In this interview, Geoff shares the vision behind the Forum, the challenges it aims to address, and why bridging the gap between technology, policy, and real-world implementation is more urgent than ever.
Read MoreSetting the Stage for Change: The Vision Behind the Upcoming SBS Leaders ForumBelgrade’s Green Cover in Crisis: How a June Heatwave Stripped the City’s Vegetation

In June 2025, Belgrade experienced record-breaking heat, leading to a sharp decline in urban vegetation. Using NDVI data from Landsat satellites, this article analyzes the spatial and sectoral impacts of the heatwave on Belgrade’s green cover. Parks, residential zones, and industrial areas all showed significant vegetation stress, revealing disparities in resilience. The findings frame vegetation as critical infrastructure—essential for cooling, health, and economic stability—and call for urgent adaptation in urban planning amid escalating climate risks.
Read MoreBelgrade’s Green Cover in Crisis: How a June Heatwave Stripped the City’s VegetationWho Can Afford Sustainability? The 2025 SDG Index at a Crossroads

In 2015, countries adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, build sustainable cities, and take climate action. Yet not everyone can afford a sustainable future. A decade on, the world marks a milestone with the 2025 Sustainable…
How to Spot Greenwashing: When Sustainability Is Just a Sales Strategy

As sustainability becomes a powerful marketing tool, more brands are making environmental claims that don’t always hold up to scrutiny. This article explores how to spot greenwashing in everyday products and advertising — helping consumers make informed, responsible choices in a market flooded with misleading “green” labels
Read MoreHow to Spot Greenwashing: When Sustainability Is Just a Sales StrategySmarter Transport for the Western Balkans: An Interview with Matej Zakonjšek

Transport is more than infrastructure—it connects people and builds opportunities. In this interview, the Transport Community outlines how it is integrating Western Balkan transport with the EU, modernising rail, reducing border delays, and promoting sustainable mobility. From Green Lanes to the Belgrade–Niš railway, EU-backed projects are transforming the region’s connectivity, while smart mobility and clean urban transport remain key priorities. The vision: a seamlessly connected Western Balkans as part of Europe’s sustainable future.
Read MoreSmarter Transport for the Western Balkans: An Interview with Matej ZakonjšekAir Quality in the Balkan Capitals: Confronting the Urban Sustainability Challenge

Air quality in the Balkan capitals remains a defining challenge for the region’s urban sustainability goals. This article explores how pollution, carbon emissions, and weak governance are constraining progress in Western Balkan cities. Despite lower per capita emissions, cities struggle to decarbonize due to fossil fuel dependence and outdated heating and transport systems. Public health impacts are severe, yet policy responses remain fragmented. The piece concludes by calling for a strategic shift from declarations to action to secure a sustainable urban future.
Read MoreAir Quality in the Balkan Capitals: Confronting the Urban Sustainability ChallengeThe 5th Athens ESG Forum Highlights the Gaps Between Reporting and Real Value

PRESS RELEASE
The 5th Athens ESG Forum examined the widening gaps between ESG reporting and real value creation. Bringing together 70+ experts and 300+ attendees, the event explored whether ESG still delivers on its promises or risks becoming just a reporting exercise. Key discussions included the need for a more inclusive, transparent ESG framework that aligns with real market value and stakeholder needs.
Read MoreThe 5th Athens ESG Forum Highlights the Gaps Between Reporting and Real ValueMapping Equitable Access to the City with CThood: Interview with Vasileios Milias.

How accessible is your neighborhood, really? In this interview, researcher Vasileios Milias shares how CThood is redefining urban equity through open data and visual tools.
Read MoreMapping Equitable Access to the City with CThood: Interview with Vasileios Milias.