New Polis

26/06/2025

Can nature help us rethink waste in the Balkans?
New article by biodesigner Maja Halilović explores how biodesign in the Balkans can transform food waste, eggshells, algae, and fungi into sustainable, high-performing materials.
From Bosnia’s award-winning Biocandle, to Serbia’s innovation grants and Croatia’s eco-sneakers, the region is slowly building a regenerative future.
But to succeed, it needs:
✅ Bio-labs connected to universities
✅ Laws for safe biowaste use
✅ Better education and cross-sector collaboration
With the bio-based materials market booming, the Balkans can’t afford to wait.
Read the full story now 👉 https://newpolis.media/biodesign-in-the-balkans-unlocking-the-potential-of-a-regenerative-bioeconomy/

Can biodesign in the Balkans turn waste into value? Explore the region’s resources and its role in building a regenerative, green future.

24/06/2025

White Roofs Might Be Our Best Urban Climate Hack

Cities are getting hotter every year—but one cheap, simple solution reflects promise: painting rooftops white. Cool roofs can reduce indoor heat by 4–6 °C, cut emissions, and even improve sleep. From slums in Delhi to supermarkets in France, the results speak for themselves.
👉 We're continuing to explore the problem of urban heat.
🧊 Cool idea, hot results.
Read more https://newpolis.media/above-the-heat-why-cities-need-white-roofs-now/

20/06/2025

Who gets to be cool?

From climate shelters to zoning reform, cities are rethinking how to stay livable.
Cool cities for all start with data, inclusion, and urgent action.
Read more https://newpolis.media/urban-heat-adaptation-in-action-cool-cities-for-all/

20/06/2025

Bloomberg Adria Srbija: Where Climate Talk Meets Action

At the close of EU Green Week, leaders from business, finance, and government gathered in Belgrade to focus on what works — from green finance and carbon tools to AI and digital sustainability.
Semyon Gudkov, sustainability analyst and founder of Pulse Urban Alliance, attended the event and shared key insights on how ESG is evolving.

Explore the main takeaways from the event — and what they mean for cities planning a just green transition https://newpolis.media/future-proofing-the-region-insights-from-bloomberg-adria-serbia/

Key ESG and sustainability insights from Bloomberg Adria Serbia — from green finance to AI, carbon tools, and startup innovation

18/06/2025

☀️ Feeling the heat? You're not alone.
As cities across the world face longer, hotter summers, some communities are hit much harder than others. But what if we could redesign cities to be fairer—and cooler—for everyone?
Our new article, “Urban Heat Adaptation in Action: Cool Cities for All,” shows how cities like Paris, New York, and Barcelona are leading the way with creative, life-saving strategies:
- Planting trees in underserved neighborhoods
- Turning schools into cooling shelters
- Using smart tech to map and manage heat risks
Prioritizing support for the most vulnerable residents
This isn’t just about comfort—it’s about climate justice, public health, and urban survival.
Discover how cities can stay livable—and equitable—in a warming world👉 https://newpolis.media/urban-heat-adaptation-in-action-cool-cities-for-all/

Urban heat adaptation with inclusive design, smart innovation, and climate justice to build cooler, healthier urban futures for all

16/06/2025

Hot city streets, fresh ideas — our May newsletter is here!
Check out the preview 👉
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fQ7pFZlHy9NlDwNxm8kgQyYwaW4IamD9/view?usp=sharing
• What’s inside?
🌡 Article of the Month: Why urban heat is rising — and what we can do
🌍 Big news in sustainability & smart cities
🎙 New expert interviews
📝 Top reads from our website
📅 Upcoming events not to miss
We’re sharing stories that matter — for cities, for people, for the planet.

13/06/2025

Coal powered our past - but what about its legacy?
We're continuing our expert paper series. A new UN study looks at the environmental aftermath of coal mining and the results are alarming:
– Toxic heavy metals
– Acid mine drainage
– Carbon-depleted, sterile soils
As we transition to greener energy, we must also restore what coal has damaged. From planting willow trees to enforcing polluter-pays policies, the solutions are within reach.
Let’s make sure no community is left with poisoned land.
Read more https://newpolis.media/soil-in-crisis-the-environmental.../

09/06/2025

Summer is getting hotter ☀️

Record temperatures are pushing infrastructure, health systems, and economies to the brink.

But there's hope.
Cities around the world choose urban heat adaptation strategies to redesign public space, rooftops, and streets for a hotter future.

- Green roofs in Athens
- Tree canopy expansion in Melbourne
- Reflective pavements in LA
- Cool public spaces in Toronto and Vienna

Want to see what smart heat resilience looks like in action? Read more https://newpolis.media/from-risk-to-resilience-urban-heat-adaptation-in-action/

05/06/2025

At New Polis, we’re especially proud to be a media partner of the 5th Athens ESG Forum — not only because of the event’s relevance, but because we have a special focus on the Balkans and Southeastern Europe.
ESG is moving from theory to action across the region including Greece. That’s why we spoke with Vassilis Kafiris, Executive Producer at BOUSSIAS, about the ideas behind the forum, the challenges ahead, and why this moment matters.
Don’t miss our video interview:
“From Talk to Action: Vassilis Kafiris on the Future of ESG in Greece”
https://newpolis.media/from-talk-to-action-vassilis-kafiris-on-the-future-of-esg-in-greece/

An interview with Vassilis Kafiris, Executive Conference Producer at Boussias and one of the driving forces behind the 5th Athens ESG Forum

04/06/2025

Is it possible to age well in the city? Welcome to the silver city.

Cities are getting older - and that’s a good thing, if we’re ready for it. From modular homes and telehealth to care buses and walkable neighborhoods, age-friendly cities boost well-being and economic resilience.
Read how cities like Paris, Bogotá, and Hong Kong are leading the way. https://newpolis.media/age-friendly-city-for-the-silver-generation/

28/05/2025

We’ve just published our first article about the ITS European Congress 2025 in Seville — Europe’s major gathering on smart and sustainable mobility, organised by ERTICO – ITS Europe with support from the European Commission, the City of Seville, and national partners.
In this short recap, we share some of the Congress highlights — from Seville’s urban mobility projects to standout technologies and demonstrations.
It’s not a deep technical report, but rather an accessible introduction to the themes and energy of the event.
👉 Read here: https://newpolis.media/what-the-its-european-congress-2025-revealed-about-tomorrows-mobility/
Coming next: a more visual report with photos, short videos, and quick impressions from the Congress floor — including autonomous shuttles, and more.

Explore key takeaways from the ITS European Congress 2025 in Seville—smart mobility, CCAM, AI, and sustainable transport strategies across Europe