top of page

A Trump presidency looks grim for cities, but there are grains of hope
The re-election of Donald #Trump as President of the United States has been the ballot that has been heard around the world, and perhaps...
philthornton01
Nov 10, 20243 min read
Money pledges for World Bank would show way to meet $155tn urban climate bill
While huge amounts of brainpower and hard work are going into making #cities more #sustainable, achieving that comes down to money. New...
philthornton01
Oct 7, 20244 min read


Imagining how we might actually create 15-minute cities
The idea of the #15-minute-city has become subsumed in woke politics in the UK. New research takes a step back and identifies how many...
philthornton01
Sep 23, 20243 min read
Peak tourism, peak anger: sustainable solutions needed
The last full week in August marks the peak in the #tourist season in many Western country resort #cities. Perceptions of over-tourism...
philthornton01
Aug 23, 20243 min read


It’s time to bring back the town planning Olympics
As the Paris #Olympics draws to a close, there has been much discussion over “new sports” such as skateboarding and breaking. But could...
philthornton01
Aug 11, 20243 min read
Small may be beautiful, but compact is a more achievable goal for cities
As the human race continues to hurtle towards #climate catastrophe, the calls to shrink our consumption get louder. But while smaller...
philthornton01
Aug 5, 20243 min read
Even if you feel like your commute is killing you, it’s good for your health
We know public transport is good for #cities’ environmental and social connections but now it seems that it is a prolongs life for older...
philthornton01
Jul 29, 20242 min read
It’s still not coming home, but sustainable stadiums must be the real winners
As the collective #Euro2024 heartbreak in England heals and the national delirium in Spain recedes, organisers must ensure the #cities...
philthornton01
Jul 15, 20244 min read
Electoral backlash against ‘green’ cities is a reminder to do good, but do it better
Green political parties got a hammering in the European elections in June and may suffer the same fate in the 4 July UK poll. Lessons...
philthornton01
Jun 24, 20243 min read
Trading up: preparing old and new urban housing for higher temperatures
How can #London and other #cities ensure their aged #urban housing stock and new buildings will be ready for higher #temperatures?...
philthornton01
Jun 10, 20244 min read


Battle lines are drawn over sustainable cities in Europe
A fascinating poll of #mayors in European cities shows that urban leaders are aware of a sharp division of opinion among citizens over...
philthornton01
May 28, 20243 min read
One death is one too many: 10 gear changes to make urban cycling safe and sustainable
The love-hate relationship between #cities and #cycling has been thrown into sharp focus following the death of a pensioner who was hit...
philthornton01
May 20, 20244 min read
Impacts of climate change are local, but power to act is still held centrally
All but one UK local #councils surveyed reported a #climate hazard such as extreme heat or flooding in their area last year. While towns...
philthornton01
Apr 22, 20243 min read
EU awards reveal grassroots energy of fight against climate change
From making waste collection attractive to reinvigorating #urban water fountains, winners of a European Union design award show how...
philthornton01
Apr 15, 20243 min read


Concrete: brutally beautiful but in need of a climate reboot
#Concrete has proved to be a very versatile material for constructing buildings that can last for several decades. But its environmental...
philthornton01
Apr 5, 20243 min read
Not a paradise in the sun: the growing danger of urban heat islands
It might be a bit premature to start worrying about #heatwaves in western #cities just after the spring equinox but, based on recent...
philthornton01
Mar 25, 20242 min read


Seoul music: immersive art sheds light of the sustainability of a city
#Art can be a useful way of highlighting and creating a discussion around the issue of #sustainable #cities, which can often get lost in...
philthornton01
Feb 3, 20243 min read
Investment in urban resilience is vital to ensure cities can survive and thrive
Confirmation by the Copernicus Programme, the European earth observation agency, that 2023 was the hottest year on record and that this...
philthornton01
Jan 20, 20243 min read
Four trends in sustainable cities for Twenty Twenty-Four
The new year got off to a rough start for #sustainable #cities with floods hitting conurbations in the UK and other countries. But the...
philthornton01
Jan 13, 20243 min read
bottom of page