Sustainable cities

Elsevier,

Future Smart Cities: A Blueprint for Inclusive and Sustainable Living, Volume , 1 January 2026

A key component of smart city frameworks, efficient waste management is necessary for sustainable urban development. Innovative approaches that combine waste management, the use of renewable energy, and increased energy efficiency are needed to address pressing concerns including resource optimization and environmental sustainability. A thorough approach makes it possible to synthesize interdisciplinary knowledge to address the intricate problems that smart cities face. Fair resource allocation, cutting-edge energy conversion technologies, the adoption of the circular economy, the integration of renewable energy systems, and larger societal issues must all be given top priority in research. Waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies offer a practical way to manage waste in cities and produce energy simultaneously. Utilizing renewable energy is also essential for lowering emissions of pollutants and promoting environmental progress. An overview of smart city concepts is given in this chapter, with particular attention paid to the significance of waste management, the potential of WTE systems, applications of renewable energy, digital advances for waste handling, governance structures, and the main obstacles related to urban waste management.
Elsevier,

Future Smart Cities: A Blueprint for Inclusive and Sustainable Living, Volume , 1 January 2026

Waste-to-Energy (WTE) is a potential sustainable renewable energy source for Libya's Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management. The current waste management approach involves collecting and dumping waste in landfills. According to a research study, Libya is exploring the use of Waste Treatment Empowerment as a source of renewable energy to meet its electricity demand and offer an alternative to landfill-based waste management. The purpose of this study is to evaluate Benghazi City's WTE facility's ability to satisfy the city's power needs and offer an alternative to landfill-based waste management. Mass-burn incineration was used to create a situation for WTE use, revealing that Benghazi could produce about 20 MW of electricity through a WTE facility by 2030 using the incineration scenario.
Elsevier,

Meeting SDGs in Smart City Infrastructures, Federation, Interoperability, and Discoverability, Smart Cities, 2026, Pages 151-189

This chapter supports UN SDGs 11, 7, and 3 by discussing how AI can improve various aspects of urban planning, transportation, public safety, and environmental management to create more livable and sustainable cities; highlighting AI as a key enabler for optimizing energy distribution, identifying areas for conservation, and integrating renewable energy sources to help cities achieve climate-neutrality goals; and explaining how AI can enhance healthcare services through personalized monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as improve access to basic healthcare for citizens.

Elsevier,

Net-Zero Transit, The Future of Eco-Friendly Transportation, 2025, Pages 1-28

This chapter supports SDG 7, 9, and 11 by exploring innovations in renewable energy sources and their potential to facilitate clean transportation alternatives; highlighting the importance of developing sustainable transportation infrastructure and leveraging technological advancements to achieve net-zero emissions; and emphasizing the role of urban planning and design in creating more environmentally friendly and equitable transportation systems.

This chapter supports UN SDGs 7, 11, and 12 by highlighting the integration of renewable energy sources, smart grids, and energy-efficient technologies in smart cities to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact; addressing challenges of urbanization and promoting inclusive, resilient, and adaptive urban development; and discussing waste management practices, such as recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives, that contribute to a more circular economy and sustainable resource management in cities.

This study uses a participatory Design Thinking approach in Cork City, Ireland, to identify stakeholder priorities for effective air quality communication strategies that empower communities and support behavioral change. By integrating inclusive communication with systemic policy and infrastructure improvements, the research advances SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), aligning with World Population Day's call to "Leave No One Behind" by addressing environmental health inequities in urban populations.

When considering urban energy transition, including renewable energy sources (RES) development in an urban space, we must be aware of the complexity of this issue. As usual, attention is first paid to infrastructural conditions, but the energy transition is a multifaceted process. In addition to technological and financial factors, spatial, social, cultural, and historical variables are pivotal because lasting change requires a participatory perspective and contextualization of actions. The study aims to explore the epistemological role of RES installations in urban spaces, focusing on their capacity to domesticate and normalize renewable energy practices in cities. We explored the theoretical side of the issue and provided some background on implementing RES in selected urban spaces in Poland. We pay special attention to their composition in the urban landscape and their potential role in the domestication of renewables in cities. RES installations have a chance to become iconic objects in urban spaces and, therefore, directly influence its inhabitants' social and sustainable practices.
World Migratory Bird Day

World Migratory Bird Day 2026: Creating Bird Friendly Cities

International Day of Zero Waste 2026: Tackling Waste for a Sustainable Future

Observed annually on March 30, the International Day of Zero Waste promotes global efforts to address the waste crisis and advance sustainable production and consumption practices. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022, this observance highlights solutions for resource recovery, reducing pollution, and protecting both human and environmental health.

Addressing the Waste Crisis

Elsevier,

Cuce & Cuce, Solar Chimney Power Plants: From Theory to Practice, 2025, Pages 1-24

This chapter aligns with SDGs 7, 11, and 13, by introducing solar chimney power plants as a clean energy solution, and their role in supporting sustainable communities and climate.

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