Reshaping Cities

Industry Overview - The Western Balkans region, comprising Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, is highly vulnerable to climate change, with cities facing increased risks from extreme weather events such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts [16][17] - Urban areas in the region are particularly affected, with more than half of the population residing in cities that are experiencing rapid urbanization and demographic shifts, including population decline in smaller cities and growth in larger ones [16][31] - The region's cities are characterized by low population density, isolated housing units, and inadequate infrastructure, which exacerbate the risks posed by natural disasters and climate change [16][31] Climate Change Impact on Cities - The frequency of extreme heat events in Western Balkan cities has increased significantly, from 0.09 months per year in the 1990s to 1.32 months per year in 2011-2020, while extreme cold events have declined [44][47] - Both extreme dry and wet weather events have been on the rise since the 2000s, with the average number of extremely dry months increasing from 0.05 in the 1970s to 0.24 in 2011-2020 [51][52] - Cities in the region are more susceptible to natural hazards than their counterparts in the broader Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, with heat stress, water stress, floods, and wildfires being the primary contributors to climate risk [54][55] Urban Development and Emissions - Urban sprawl in the Western Balkans has led to increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollution, with cities like Niš, Novi Sad, Pristina, and Sarajevo exhibiting unplanned growth patterns that exacerbate these issues [80][81] - Green and blue spaces in cities act as carbon and pollution sinks, but urban sprawl and soil sealing have reduced these areas, negatively impacting the carbon and pollution footprint of cities [82][84] - Poor waste management is a significant issue, with illegal dumpsites and poorly managed landfills contributing to methane emissions and worsening climate hazards such as wildfires [72][74] Resilience and Infrastructure Challenges - Cities in the Western Balkans face significant challenges in building resilience to climate change due to inadequate infrastructure, poor service provision, and high exposure to hydro-climatic hazards [79][92] - Informal settlements in the region are particularly vulnerable to climate risks, with poor-quality buildings and a lack of adaptation infrastructure increasing the risk of flooding, urban heat, and landslides [97][99] - The region's centralized but siloed approaches to disaster preparedness leave cities largely unprepared for large-scale disasters, with limited funding and capacity to address climate-related risks [105][107] Pathways for Sustainable Urban Development - To promote green, resilient, inclusive, and competitive cities, the report suggests revising zoning and land-use regulations, encouraging mixed-use development, and investing in sustainable mobility [19][20] - Nature-based solutions, such as green and blue strategies, are recommended to mitigate climate risks and improve the well-being of vulnerable communities [19][20] - Inclusive pathways involve community engagement, partnership building, and citizen empowerment to address inequality and promote social equity, while competitive pathways focus on private sector involvement and capital mobilization to drive economic growth [19][20]