Read my Work

I write articles about impactful and innovative urban stories from all over the world, ranging from green rooftops to community initiatives and much more.

I also write reports for development agencies and international organisations with a focus on sustainable urban development, sustainable construction, architecture, and landscape architecture.

If you are looking for engaging, clear and informed writing about urban planning and landscape architecture in the context of climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals, I might be the right person for you!

You can find some examples of my writing below. 

My Recent Articles

Air Quality Trend Report 2024
The latest Trend Report from SmartCitiesWorld looks at the current trends in air quality monitoring and improvement, identifying projects, policies and technologies that are aiding cities in creating more liveable and breathable urban environments.
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Where the Rubber Hits the Road: Localising Climate Action in Cities
Since COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, the role of cities and local governments in implementing climate and sustainability goals has come to the forefront. At the recently concluded United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 6) in Nairobi, the Cities Summit on February 23rd focused on localising climate action.
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Can the Urban Poor Afford Sustainable Construction?
Most urban construction over the next decades is going to take place in the Global South, often in the form of incremental upgrading or makeshift homes. Considering that the built environment today already accounts for nearly 40 per cent of all CO2 emissions and that the CO2-budget left for that sector is already almost depleted, it is key to focus efforts on sustainable ways of construction in order to reach the 1.5 degree Celsius goal. By making alternative, circular, and low-carbon construction methods both attractive and affordable and by supporting sustainable construction through political frameworks and regulations, it is possible to create more resilient and environmentally friendly buildings and infrastructures at the demand side, like the fast- growing informal settlements of the Global South.
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Putting Urban Journalism Into Practice
Urban journalism tells stories that are relevant to city dwellers, focusing on topics such as transportation, housing, infrastructure, politics, and safety. Many actions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) take place in urban environments – after all, OECD estimated that 65% of the 169 targets underlying the 17 SDGs would not be reached without proper engagement of and coordination with local and regional governments. However, too often, local actions do not get the attention they deserve. United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) knows better than most that mayors and municipal officers are the ones implementing international sustainability goals into practice, but their stories do not get a lot of attention in mainstream media. This is where urban journalism comes in.
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SDGs: How to achieve them in cities?
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals call for drastic changes to create a more sustainable world by 2030. Cities have much to contribute – read more about SDGs in the urban context here.
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Oceanix Busan – a Floating City Prototype
UN-Habitat and partners unveil Oceanix Busan, the world’s first prototype floating city. Designed by BIG, the city provides breakthrough technology for coastal cities.
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Can Urban Acupuncture Heal Us? 9 cities feeling the pinpricks of change
Cities are getting creative with homegrown solutions inspired by the traditional Chinese medicine of acupuncture… one pinprick at a time
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How Katowice, Poland Went From Coal City to Culture And Conference Hub
Host of this year’s World Urban Forum, the Polish city has successfully transitioned from coal and steel industries to a modern city based on tech and culture.
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What the City of Rotterdam Can Teach Us About the Power of Green Roofs
Green roofs are an undertapped tool in combatting urban heat islands, but all too often, the low-income communities who could benefit the most are left out. Here are lessons from one Dutch city on building rooftop spaces that benefit all.
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From Timber Cities to Integrated Urban Planning – How to Make Our Cities More Climate-Friendly
Considering that the construction sector is responsible for about 40 per cent of global CO2 emissions, it is particularly relevant to find ways to cut down emissions in construction.
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COP 26 in Glasgow
Implementation at the local level is key to stay below 2°C
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Reimagining Public Spaces: The Share-It-Square in Portland, Oregon
Countless North American cities struggle with social isolation. COVID-19 has further exacerbated the problem, highlighting the lack of meeting places. How, then, can we revive the neighbourhood? How can we reimagine public spaces?
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Next Up in the Printer Queue: Social Housing
3D printing is now at a level where entire houses can be printed within a few days with costs as low as 5,000 USD per house. Could this be a solution for housing inequality?
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Gamification in Urban Planning: Participation Through Minecraft
Minecraft is one of the most popular computer games in the world. Like a virtual version of Lego, it invites players to create their own world of buildings, villages, and other spatial elements. Every month, more than 110 million people play Minecraft – but did you know that it can also be used for urban planning?
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Mapping the Flood
Is there a social justice dimension of green technologies? In this article for Topos Magazine, I look into mapping technologies, using Durban in South Africa as an example for community-based mapping that can reduce vulnerability to floods.
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How Mexico City’s Poorest Neighbourhood Is Battling Climate Change
The city of Iztapalapa is fighting climate-change-induced inundations through better education, communication and community-building.
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Urban Informality in Times of Crisis: The Need for More Resilience in Cities
Looking at the impact of Covid-19 on informal settlements like Kibera in Nairobi
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Mexico: Using Superheroes For Risk Communication in Times of Coronavirus
Risk communication is crucial in a pandemic. In Mexico, a new superhero has been invented to encourage the whole population to respect the rules of social distancing.
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Innovation in Cities – What Can We Learn from World Urban Forum 10?
From February 8 to February 13, the World Urban Forum took place in Abu Dhabi.
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Creating Culturally Vivid Urban Spaces and Places
Lessons from the 10th World Urban Forum
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How Can Culture and Innovation Improve Urban Development?
At WUF10, representatives from more than 160 countries showcased and discussed urban development ideas – trying to find a solution or a pathway towards the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 11.
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How Media Supports Participatory Urban Planning
Evidence from Hamburg, Cape Town and Mexico City
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Building Community in the East of Mexico City
In neglected parts of Mexican cities, the work of the NGO ENSAMBLE shows how investing into community and togetherness can change poor urban areas for the better, including all residents in a highly participatory process.
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Changing the Perspective of Informal Settlements from Within – A Case Study of Old Fadama in Accra, Ghana
This article discusses strategies of residents in Old Fadama (Accra) to resist eviction, and how they protect their right through proactive actions that have changed public opinion about the residents of informal settlements and influenced government decisions on their settlement.
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I Found the Perfect Public Space in Bogotá
Most public spaces are flawed, but this example from Bogotá seems to tick all the boxes.
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Is Gentrification Becoming a Problem in Guatemala City?
Guatemala's capital has a bad reputation, but recently, projects like 4 Grados Norte are changing the city.
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Die Seilbahn ist eine attraktive Alternative
This article in a leading German newspaper explores the option of introducing cable cars to a metropolis like Hamburg, learning from the Latin American experience.
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