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Air Quality in the Balkan Capitals: Confronting the Urban Sustainability Challenge

Air Quality in Balkan Capitals
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 Despite lower per capita emissions, cities struggle to decarbonize due to fossil fuel dependence and outdated heating and transport systems.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.
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SmartWaterTwin Project: Circular Economy for Urban Wastewater

SmartWaterTwin Project: Circular Economy for Urban Wastewater
Water scarcity and outdated wastewater systems threaten cities and industries across the Western Balkans. The SmartWaterTwin project aims to transform wastewater from a burden into a valuable resource. By applying circular economy principles, the project enables energy, nutrient, and water recovery. It provides tools, training, and a digital HUB to guide municipalities and industries toward sustainable water management. This approach strengthens local capacity while aligning with EU and climate goals.
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Above the Heat: Why Cities Need White Roofs Now

As global temperatures rise, cities need affordable ways to stay cool—white roofs offer one. Reflective coatings can lower indoor temperatures by up to 6 °C and reduce urban heat by 2 °C. Case studies from London to Delhi slums show clear benefits in comfort, energy savings, and emissions. These coatings are low-cost, easy to apply, and often community-led. Despite some trade-offs, white roofs are a powerful tool for cooler, healthier cities.
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From Risk to Resilience: Urban Heat Adaptation in Action

heat adaptation
As extreme heat becomes an escalating urban threat, cities worldwide are pioneering bold adaptation strategies to protect public health, infrastructure, and economic vitality. From green canopies and reflective rooftops to reimagined public spaces, From Risk to Resilience showcases climate-smart planning are transforming heat-vulnerable cities into hubs of resilience.
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Urban Heat and Green Infrastructure: Lessons from Belgrade’s Record Summer

Belgrade's heat

As summer approaches and the risk of extreme heat increases, it is worth recalling what happened last year. The summer of 2024 placed Belgrade among the cities experiencing record-breaking heat waves, with temperatures soaring above 40°C during several consecutive days,…

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Best Urban Sustainability Indices (Part I): How Top Cities Are Ranked and Why It Matters

green city
Urban sustainability rankings shape how cities are seen—and how they act. But are these indices truly capturing what matters most? In this first part of our deep dive, we explore the best urban sustainability indices and the surprising assumptions behind their scores.
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