New Polis, Belgrade (2025)

24/12/2024

On Two Wheels Toward a Sustainable Future.

The article focuses on bicycles as a vital tool for sustainable mobility, offering health, environmental, and traffic benefits. With over 1 billion bicycles globally, they help reduce carbon emissions and congestion. The bicycle market, especially e-bikes, is expanding, with innovations in eco-friendly materials further reducing environmental impact. As cities invest in cycling, bicycles play a vital role in creating greener, healthier urban environments.
Read more: https://newpolis.media/bicycles-a-key-to-sustainable-development-and-environmental-benefits/

22/12/2024

NIMBY - Not In My Back Yard.

The "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) phenomenon reflects local opposition to projects affecting nearby areas. While it encourages civic debate, it can delay important initiatives due to distrust and emotional responses. NIMBY is a key aspect of democratic decision-making. Read more: https://newpolis.media/nimby-not-in-my-backyard/

16/12/2024

Cities and Climate Action. World Cities Report 2024.

The UN-Habitat's World Cities Report 2024 highlights cities as both major contributors to and victims of climate change. It proposes strategies for reducing urban vulnerability, improving sustainability, and addressing social inequalities. The report calls for increased investment in sustainable infrastructure and coordinated efforts across governance levels to create more resilient cities. The report contains a lot of important statistics.
Read more: https://newpolis.media/cities-and-climate-action-world-cities-report-2024/

11/12/2024

Burgas Is at the Top of Smart Urban Development

This article highlights Burgas as a leader in smart city development in Bulgaria. Despite uneven use of smart technologies across the country, Burgas excels with eco-friendly mobility, digital platforms, and sustainability initiatives. Its participation in international networks like "Sharing Cities" and the Green City Accord supports its progress. While challenges remain, Burgas is advancing toward a smart, sustainable future.
Read more: https://newpolis.media/burgas-is-at-the-top-of-smart-urban-development/

10/12/2024

Struggles in Smart Cities Development in the Western Balkans: Key Factors and Statistics.

This article examines the challenges of smart city development in the Western Balkans, including financial constraints, outdated infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled workers. Governance issues, public skepticism, and environmental concerns also hinder progress. The region requires comprehensive strategies, investment, and collaboration to overcome these obstacles and ensure equitable, sustainable urban growth.
Read more: https://newpolis.media/struggles-in-smart-cities-development-in-the-western-balkans-key-factors-and-statistics/

06/12/2024

Going back to Nature with Forest Schools.

What can we do to help children understand the importance of sustainability and the impact of their actions on our planet? Environmental education plays a crucial role in this. The article focuses on the unique aspects of studying at a Forest School.
Read more: https://newpolis.media/going-back-to-nature-with-forest-schools/

01/12/2024

The Challenges of Green Policy in Germany: Economic and Practical Struggles.

Germany has long been a leader in promoting green energy and eco-friendly technologies. However, the ambitious green policies that have shaped the country’s approach to energy and manufacturing are now facing significant challenges. This article examines some aspects of German green policy and the difficulties that could undermine the success of its environmental goals.
Read more: https://newpolis.media/the-challenges-of-green-policy-in-germany-economic-and-practical-struggles/

25/11/2024

Smart Technologies in Pancevo: Innovation and the Struggles of Maintenance.

The article explores the adoption of smart technologies aimed at enhancing urban life in Pancevo, Serbia. While these innovations offer great potential, the city faces significant challenges in maintaining and upgrading them. The article examines both the successes and struggles of these technologies, offering valuable insights into the broader challenges faced by cities in the Western Balkans.
Read more: https://newpolis.media/smart-technologies-in-pancevo-innovation-and-the-struggles-of-maintenance/

24/11/2024

In Solidarity for a Green World: COP29.

From 11 to 22 November 2024, the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, hosted COP29. The COP is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Read more: https://newpolis.media/in-solidarity-for-a-green-world-cop29/

20/11/2024

Ordos “Ghost City”: Navigating the Pitfalls of New City Development: https://newpolis.media/ordos-ghost-city-navigating-the-pitfalls-of-new-city-development/

Imagine a city built from scratch, with grand boulevards, futuristic architecture, and luxury homes—yet eerily empty. This is Ordos, China: a "ghost city" that began as a bold vision for urban transformation but quickly became a cautionary tale of overambition, speculative development, and the unpredictable forces of market economics. What went wrong? And how has Ordos managed to turn its story around, slowly finding new life amid its vast, empty streets? Writing about Ordos offers a unique lens on the complexities of modern city-building, the pitfalls of rapid urbanization, and the resilience required to reinvent a failed dream. It’s a tale of ambition, miscalculation, and eventual hope—one that speaks to the challenges and possibilities of shaping the cities of tomorrow.

16/11/2024

Balancing Dreams and Realities: The Hardships of Creating New Cities.

Numerous new city projects are currently being implemented across various countries, aiming to become smart cities, sustainable cities, or a combination of both. Building a completely new smart and sustainable city from scratch comes with numerous challenges, ranging from the initial stages of master planning to final ex*****on and long-term operations. While the idea of a city that fully integrates cutting-edge technology, eco-friendly practices, and innovative infrastructure is appealing, it is a complex and resource-intensive undertaking that can encounter significant obstacles along the way. What challenges do these projects face?
Read more: https://newpolis.media/balancing-dreams-and-realities-the-hardships-of-creating-new-cities/

15/11/2024

The World Urban Forum (WUF).

From 4–8 November 2024, Cairo hosted the largest World Urban Forum (WUF), drawing thousands of participants from 182 countries. The forum brought together policymakers, urban planners, business leaders, students, civil society representatives, and innovators to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing cities around the world. With a focus on sustainable urban development, the event underscored the urgent need for action on climate change, affordable housing, and inclusive growth, while also highlighting the transformative potential of local solutions.
Read more about this event: https://newpolis.media/it-all-starts-locally-world-urban-forum-in-cairo/

11/11/2024

The Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona.

From November 4 to 6, Barcelona hosted the Smart City Expo World Congress, which attracted more than 25,000 attendees, including over 600 expert speakers and more than 200 sessions focused on the latest advancements in urbanism and technology.
The congress also featured a large number of mayors from cities around the world, who expressed strong interest in new technologies that could improve the quality of life in urban areas.
You can read about the congress on our website:
https://newpolis.media/eureka-how-the-smart-cities-forum-in-barcelona-went/

08/11/2024

Interview with a Participant of the "Bridge for the Cities" Conference at the Vienna International Center (October 9-11): https://newpolis.media/building-a-better-mobility-future-interview-with-a-participant-of-bridge-for-the-cities-conference/

Our expert is Patrik Würschl, Program Manager and Venture Scout at Impact Hub Vienna, whose mission is to inspire, connect, and enable entrepreneurs while strengthening the ecosystem around them. He presented one of Impact Hub’s programs, the “Better Mobility Accelerator”, at the exhibition during the “Bridge for the Cities” conference. In this inspiring interview, he discusses the program and what each of us can do to help create a more sustainable world. The program is designed for startups focused on developing accessible, affordable, safe, and green mobility solutions, and those ready to scale internationally.

05/11/2024

Interview with a participant of the Bridge for the Cities conference at the Vienna International Center (October 9-11) on our website: https://newpolis.media/future-of-the-energy-storage-interview-with-the-participants-of-conference-bridge-for-the-cities/

Our expert, Smith Jakob, specializes in research on thermochemical energy storage using salt hydrates. He has actively participated in the "Bridge for the Cities" conference organized by UNIDO. His passion and motivation center on sustainable development and the challenges associated with smart cities. He has made notable advancements in his research related to sustainable development.

03/11/2024

On the Way to a Sustainable Future.

From October 22 to 27, Belgrade hosted the ESG Festival. This event was primarily organized for students, with a strong emphasis on education and career development, all while considering the interests of sustainable development. Key themes included women's rights, equality, inclusiveness, new trends in higher education, and advancements in business grounded in sustainability principles. The festival was divided into three thematic parts with lectures and roundtable discussions : Environmental Day, Social Day, and Governance Day. The level of representation was remarkable, with notable speakers such as the Rector of the University of Belgrade, the Commissioner for Gender Equality, the Minister of Science, Technical Development and Innovation, etc.
For those interested, an interactive exhibition was organized in a unique format, utilizing shipping containers as exhibition halls. Each container was marked according to the date of its creation and the “life” it had led before the exhibition. The exhibits were united under the slogan “Sustainability in Details,” emphasizing that achieving sustainable development requires reform not only in resource management and urban planning but also in people’s daily lives.
For more information about the event: https://newpolis.media/on-the-way-to-a-sustainable-future/

29/10/2024

A new two-part article "Mindful Leadership in Action: Paving the Path to Sustainable Development": https://newpolis.media/mindful-leadership-in-action-paving-the-path-to-sustainable-development-part-1/ ; https://newpolis.media/mindful-leadership-in-action-paving-the-path-to-sustainable-development-part-2/

In an era marked by climate change, social inequality, and economic uncertainty, sustainable leadership has become a vital approach for driving transformative change. This two-part article delves into the principles of sustainable leadership, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, adaptability, and a long-term vision for success. Through real-world examples, it illustrates how sustainable leaders create value by aligning their organizations' goals with the well-being of their employees, communities, and the planet.

25/10/2024

Insights from the 2024 Sustainable City Festival.
On October 24, 2024, the Sustainable City Festival took place at the Science and Technology Park in Niš, Serbia, with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. This year’s theme, "Sustainable Development as a Path to Success for Serbia," served as a rallying cry for entrepreneurs, researchers, and activists eager to explore innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
The festival provided a vibrant platform for discussing critical issues surrounding sustainable development and its role in fostering long-term prosperity. Participants shared their experiences and insights into sustainable business practices, citizen engagement, particularly among youth, and various innovative initiatives. Notable projects showcased included a mobile application called City&Me designed to empower city residents, a rural hub aimed at community development, and a flood warning system implemented in Pirot.
Despite the enthusiasm, the festival highlighted significant challenges that hinder sustainable development in Serbia. Key issues included a lack of awareness and understanding of sustainable development goals among some local authorities and community members, the emigration of young people from small towns and villages, and bureaucratic hurdles that obstruct the implementation of vital projects.
To tackle these pressing problems and ensure that sustainable development remains at the forefront of public and political discourse, the festival organizers proposed making this event an annual occurrence. By fostering continuous dialogue and collaboration, they aim to inspire lasting change and progress towards a more sustainable future for Serbia.

New Polis