CONTACT

Urban Future 2026 in Ljubljana: Why City Change-Makers Need Action, Not Just Ideas

Urban Future 2026 in Ljubljana
Urban transformation requires more than ambitious strategies, it demands communities of practitioners willing to test ideas, share failures, and act. In this interview, Gerald Babel-Sutter explains how Urban Future 2026 in Ljubljana aims to empower city leaders to turn knowledge into real change.
Read MoreUrban Future 2026 in Ljubljana: Why City Change-Makers Need Action, Not Just Ideas

When Warmth Becomes a Trap: The Hidden Costs of Winter Urban Heat Islands

infrastructure problems in winter urban heat island
Winter urban heat islands are often seen as a seasonal advantage, making cities slightly warmer during cold months. However, growing evidence shows they can worsen air pollution, accelerate infrastructure damage, and create hidden public health risks. This article explores real-world case studies and explains why winter UHIs are becoming a critical issue for sustainable and smart cities.
Read MoreWhen Warmth Becomes a Trap: The Hidden Costs of Winter Urban Heat Islands

Smart Cities Need Systems, Not Just Technology: Lessons from “Smart Engineering for Urban Development”

The Smart Engineering for Urban Development conference
The Smart Engineering for Urban Development conference in Belgrade brought together experts from Serbia and Nordic countries to discuss how Western Balkan cities can move beyond isolated smart city projects toward systemic urban transformation. The discussions highlighted that sustainable and smart urban development depends not only on technology, but on governance, planning, financing and cross-sector cooperation.
Read MoreSmart Cities Need Systems, Not Just Technology: Lessons from “Smart Engineering for Urban Development”

Gender-Sensitive Snow Clearance: Why Winter Maintenance Is a Question of Urban Accessibility

Gender-sensitive snow clearance
The extraordinary snowfalls of early 2026 once again exposed structural weaknesses in urban winter maintenance systems. Gender-sensitive snow clearance, first implemented in Swedish cities, demonstrates how rethinking snow removal priorities can improve safety, equity, and cost efficiency in climate-stressed cities.
Read MoreGender-Sensitive Snow Clearance: Why Winter Maintenance Is a Question of Urban Accessibility

New York Moves Toward an All-Electric Buildings Law Amid Court Battles and Grid Concerns

New York buildings
New York is moving toward an all-electric buildings law that could end gas-powered systems in new construction. The proposal has sparked legal challenges and concerns over costs and grid readiness. The outcome may influence building electrification policies far beyond the state.
Read MoreNew York Moves Toward an All-Electric Buildings Law Amid Court Battles and Grid Concerns

Air Pollution in Serbian Cities: Sources, Health Risks, and Ways to Improve Urban Air Quality

Air Pollution in Serbian Cities
This article examines air pollution in Serbian cities with a focus on changes in pollutant composition, dominant emission sources, and associated health risks. Using examples from major urban centers, it highlights how particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and ground-level ozone interact to create complex urban air pollution patterns. The paper also outlines policy-relevant pathways for restoring urban air quality through energy transition, sustainable transport, and integrated environmental monitoring.
Read MoreAir Pollution in Serbian Cities: Sources, Health Risks, and Ways to Improve Urban Air Quality
×