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.

Why naming and shaming the world’s ‘most polluted cities’ is a terrible idea

Perspective / Not only is this misleading and inaccurate, it can also backfire by discouraging cities from monitoring and disclosing their pollution data.

27 June 2016 / About Cities and Pollution

A modern street with seating, room for bicycles, and trees

Main Street project aims to give central Tallinn back to the people

Perspective / After decades of car-centred urban planning in the Tallinn, the city plans to give the centre back to its people and enliven urban culture.

21 June 2016 / About Cities, Transport and Wellbeing

Can car labelling lead to better air quality and lower carbon emissions?

Perspective / Environmental labelling of products and services has been used as a way to ‘nudge’ consumers to make greener choices, but accuracy is crucial.

13 June 2016 / About Cities, Mitigation, Pollution, Sustainable lifestyles and Transport

A boy walks through the main square of Nui Island in Tuvalu, flooded for weeks after Cyclone Pam. Photo: Silke von Brockhausen/UNDP

Q&A: Frank Thomalla on disaster risk in the Asia Pacific region

Feature

2 June 2016 / About Adaptation, Cities and Disaster risk

SEI and partners plan York city environment observatory

Feature

19 May 2016 / About Cities, Participation, Public policy and Wellbeing

An Arctic mining town faces the monocity dilemma

Perspective / How global markets, climate policy and geopolitics could shape the future of Mirny, a Siberian city built on diamond mining.

16 May 2016 / About Cities

Mitigating stress and supporting health in deprived urban communities: The importance of green space and the social environment

Journal article

26 April 2016 / About Cities

Highlighting urban natural treasures in Tallinn and Helsinki

Feature / NATTOURS, a collaboration between SEI Tallinn and the two cities’ municipal governments, will work to develop nature tourism attractions in Tallinn and Helsinki

29 March 2016 / About Cities

New guidance lays out a path to cleaner air in Asian cities

Feature / New guidance lays out a path to cleaner air in Asian cities

11 March 2016 / About Cities, Pollution and Public policy