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.

Inspiring climate adaptation action in Africa’s cities

Feature / New SEI work highlights adaptation projects that illustrate how Africa's urban areas can adapt to climate change and work toward achieving the SDGs.

15 August 2017 / About Adaptation, Cities, Climate policy and Sustainable Development Goals

Green wall at Westfield, London, UK. This plant-clad wall runs along the Southern Terrace. Photo credit: David Hawgood [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Exploring the co-benefits of urban green infrastructure improvements for businesses and workers’ well being

Journal article / This article presents findings from a two-year study looking at co-benefits derived from urban green infrastructure investment.

7 August 2017 / About Business, Cities, Finance and Wellbeing

A statue stands at the centre of a city square in front of buildings in a mix of architecture styles.

Research methods for understanding and supporting decision processes in African cities

SEI working paper / This working paper analyses 12 decision-making methods in the context of climate change adaptation in urban regions of Southern Africa.

2 August 2017 / About Adaptation, Cities and Public policy

New international centre of excellence on disaster risk unveiled at SEI Science Forum

Feature / As vulnerability to disaster in Asia increases, the SEI Asia centre will boost the contribution of science to tackling risk and meeting international targets.

8 June 2017 / About Cities, Disaster risk and Public policy

Major new study quantifies health and environmental impacts of excess nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel vehicles

Feature / Major new study quantifies health and environmental impacts of excess nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel vehicles, caused 38,000 premature deaths 2015.

15 May 2017 / About Cities, Climate policy, Fossil fuels, Pollution, Short lived climate pollutants and Transport

Scientists say acting to reduce global warming in the near term provides multiple benefits for sustainable development

Press release

4 May 2017 / About Cities, Climate policy, Pollution and Short lived climate pollutants

Your city could be exporting deadly air pollution – here’s why

Perspective / Transboundary air pollution still a major threat to human health and well-being.

21 April 2017 / About Cities, Pollution and Short lived climate pollutants

Water security is job security: water as an enabler for livelihoods

Other publication / This chapter examines a variety of pathways through which water enables livelihoods and incomes.

11 March 2017 / About Cities, Sanitation and Water resources

How can Estonia’s transport and housing sectors contribute to cleaner air and a safer climate?

Feature / SEI researchers in Tallinn, York and the U.S. are exploring measures to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) in Estonia using a new calculator.

22 February 2017 / About Cities, Mitigation, Pollution and Short lived climate pollutants