Research story | 2025-02-17

To beat the heat, cities need to scale up green infrastructure

A new study on Sweden’s largest sustainable urban development project finds that individual Nature-based solutions (NbS) have minimal impact on local climate, emphasizing the need for large-scale, interconnected green infrastructure for substantial cooling.

Research in short | 2024-05-16

Where is urban ecology headed?

In the recent Ambio Special Section “Shifts in Urban Ecology” a group of world-leading urban scholars, including professors Erik Andersson and Timon McPhearson reflect on urban ecology and its role in guiding urban development across the diverse realities of global cities.

Research in short | 2024-05-02

Operationalising degrowth to connect planetary boundaries and cities

New article discusses the role of degrowth in keeping an urban planet within planetary boundaries

General news | 2023-09-19

New Google.org grant funds Centre research on AI-powered climate risk tool

Google.org has awarded five million US dollars to a group of scientists, including Centre researchers, to develop and scale ClimateIQ , an artificial intelligence-powered climate risk evaluation tool for cities

Research news | 2023-08-21

Working with nature is essential for making cities climate neutral

New technology itself will not be sufficient for cities to become climate neutral. Nature-based solutions are required too. That is the main result of a recent study based on satellite data from 54 European cities

Research news | 2022-11-25

Access to greenery and water goes hand in hand with human wellbeing during the pandemic

Green wedges and large nature areas are especially important for the young, elderly and unemployed, a new comparative study finds

Research news | 2022-08-11

Adding the technological to the social-ecological

Researchers make the case for a more systematic way of thinking when designing urban, nature-based solutions

Research news | 2022-03-17

Making cities greener, sustainable and inclusive

We may live in an urban century, but nature in cities is more important than ever. New study presents ways to make sure nature is better integrated in urban environments

Research news | 2022-02-11

Making sense of a water crisis

New film documents efforts to connect local communities with authorities and push for change in the years after Cape Town’s “Day Zero” drought

Research news | 2021-11-18

Helping design smarter urban green spaces

New climate platform offers residents in Stockholm suburb real-time access to how greeneries influence local weather conditions

Research news | 2021-10-11

Low exposure to green areas may lead to higher rates of COVID-19 cases

New analysis links COVID-19 to nature inequity, showing communities of color face starkest burden

Research news | 2021-10-04

How cities play a crucial role in the transition to a carbon-free world

In connection with World Habitat Day, centre experts explain why cities are at the centre of planetary efforts to reduce our carbon footprint

Research news | 2021-09-29

Ageing, shrinking cities not all bad for the SDGs

The number of people above 65 is increasing. That need not be a problem for urban sustainability

Research news | 2021-09-21

Three things needed for successful climate adaptation in cities

Freiburg, Durban and Singapore show why combining social, nature-based and technological solutions to urban climate challenges can work

Research news | 2021-08-23

How to reduce risks of flooding in and around urban areas

New tool helps reveal dangerous areas that traditional assessments would otherwise ignore

Research news | 2021-06-22

New software helps design sustainable cities

Natural Capital Project have developed a software that shows city planners where to invest in nature to improve people’s lives. It will also save billions of dollars

Research news | 2021-06-21

Proximity to green boosts building projects

Proximity to ecosystem services raises the value of residential and commercial areas around cities. Future projects should focus more to keep it that way

Research news | 2021-06-01

Uncovering the traits of an urban social-ecological system

Why a different language for ecosystems and biodiversity is needed for taking on today’s urban challenges

Research news | 2021-05-16

For urbanites, green areas boost wellbeing

Researchers plan to equip city planners with tools to create healthier, more sustainable cities around the world

Research news | 2021-02-24

Without the ‘hinterlands’ cities will struggle

A closer alignment between cities and their surroundings will be key for positive development and governance