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The Environmental Impact of AI: Energy, Water and Land Behind the Digital Boom

Aerial view of a large data center campus beside a low-flow river, surrounded by power infrastructure and heat-stressed vegetation.
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.
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​Cycling 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 More​Cycling Infrastructure in the Western Balkans: Why Streets Must Work for People, Not Cars

Why Smart City Projects Fail: Lessons from an 80-Million-Yuan Digital Infrastructure Project

Underused smart city operations center with inactive monitoring screens and empty workstations, illustrating the challenges of digital infrastructure projects and smart city governance.
A county-level smart city project in China saw six of its seven sub-projects become idle despite significant public investment. This case study explores how planning gaps, fragmented data systems and governance challenges can undermine even the most ambitious digital infrastructure projects.
Read MoreWhy Smart City Projects Fail: Lessons from an 80-Million-Yuan Digital Infrastructure Project

Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration: Can Smart Infrastructure Prevent Traffic Accidents?

Smart urban intersection illustrating Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration through connected vehicles, intelligent road infrastructure and real-time traffic management.
Can technology help prevent traffic accidents before they happen? Drawing on the concept of Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration, this article explores how connected vehicles, smart roads and cloud-based management systems could reshape the future of road safety and intelligent mobility.
Read MoreVehicle-Road-Cloud Integration: Can Smart Infrastructure Prevent Traffic Accidents?

Beyond the 15-Minute City: An Interview with Carlos Moreno on Time, Proximity and Future Cities

the author of 15-minute city concept Carlos Moreno
In this interview, Carlos Moreno reflects on how the idea of the 15-minute city has evolved into a broader discussion about time, proximity, resilience, and quality of urban life. He also discusses social fragmentation, urban regeneration, and why future cities must become more human-centred rather than simply more “smart.”
Read MoreBeyond the 15-Minute City: An Interview with Carlos Moreno on Time, Proximity and Future Cities

Digital Construction and the Future City: Where the Industry Stalled

Digital Construction and the Future City
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 Stalled

ITS European Congress 2026: Bridging Innovation for Smart and Seamless Mobility in Istanbul

ITS European Congress 2026
The 17th ITS European Congress in Istanbul demonstrated how intelligent transport systems are moving from pilot projects to large-scale deployment. Bringing together policymakers, telecom leaders, transport operators, and mobility innovators, the congress highlighted the growing convergence of AI, connectivity, multimodal transport, and sustainable urban infrastructure.
Read MoreITS European Congress 2026: Bridging Innovation for Smart and Seamless Mobility in Istanbul

Interview with Predrag Rađen: Rethinking Sustainable Architecture and Energy Efficiency

Predrag Rađen, founder of ArchyEnergy conference about sustainable architecture
Predrag Rađen, founder of ArchyEnergy, discusses the growing role of sustainable architecture and energy efficiency in the Western Balkans. In this interview, he reflects on regional construction trends, industry challenges, and the evolving role of platforms like ArchyEnergy 2026 in shaping more sustainable building practices.
Read MoreInterview with Predrag Rađen: Rethinking Sustainable Architecture and Energy Efficiency
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