Cities

More than 65% of the world's population are projected to live in urban areas by 2050, with major implications resource use, energy, water and sanitation, and health and well-being. At the same time urbanization can bring benefits, especially efficiency gains. SEI examines these challenges in the round to advance sustainable urbanization.

A crowd of early-morning commuters wearing face masks on their way to work in Bangkok.

Small parks, big lessons: what urban planners can learn from Bangkok’s new green spaces

Feature / Lessons from Bangkok’s pocket parks reveal how design and location shape health, inclusion and the way people use urban green spaces.

31 October 2025 / About Cities, Participation and Wellbeing

An irrigation hose extends on the ground below the trunks and palm leaves of date trees in an orchard.

Assessing the conditions for circularity and entrepreneurship for urban sanitation and waste management in Basrah City

SEI report / This assessment of urban sanitation and waste management in Basrah City identifies service gaps, evaluates current practices, and explores opportunities.

20 October 2025 / About Cities, Sanitation and Water resources

Small tree-filled park with a footpath beside a congested flyover packed with cars and motorbikes in Bangkok

Nature within reach: can pocket parks bridge Bangkok’s green gap?

Feature / Bangkok's pocket parks are reshaping access to urban green space, offering new insights into equity, health, and resilience in the city.

15 October 2025 / About Cities, Participation and Wellbeing

Group of cyclists and electric motorbike riders smiling and raising their hands in front of the SEI “Sustainability Bus” tent at the Grand Nairobi Bike Race.

SEI and key partners champion sustainability at Nairobi’s premier cycling event

Feature / At Nairobi’s Jubilee Live Free Bike Race, partners unite sport and sustainability to champion clean air and healthy cities.

15 October 2025 / About Cities, Transport and Wellbeing

Game night: Urban Labor-a-tree

Past event / Design your own city with the Urban Labor-a-tree at York Environment Festival 2025 Game Night.

14 October 2025 / About Cities

Advancing super pollutant action towards COP30

Past event / Ahead of COP30, SEI researchers joins Brazil roundtable on super pollutants to share policies, experiences and cooperation opportunities.

14 October 2025 / About Cities

Co-developing a cooling plan for Khlong Toei community in Bangkok

Feature / Researchers document how low-income communities in Bangkok are coping with the intense and unforgiving heat.

6 October 2025 / About Adaptation, Cities and Participation

Half-body details of a man sitting in his wheelchair climbing up a curb that is not wheelchair accessible.

Visual storytelling to rethink spatial justice through equity on the move

Project / Using a visual storytelling approach, this project documents everyday mobility practices and infrastructure use, revealing local issues.

2025 - 2026 / About Cities, Land use and Wellbeing