The IIASA Urban Futures Hub is a cutting-edge research initiative dedicated to studying and assessing how cities and urban systems can lead climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts from local to global scales.
The IIASA Urban Futures Hub is a new research initiative established in 2023 within the Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) program at IIASA.
The key focus areas include:
- Urban systems transformation, including buildings, transport, energy systems, spatial planning, and urban forms
- City-scale models and scenarios
- City governance
- Digitalization and smart cities
- Social and technological innovations
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, synergies, and trade-offs
- Justice and equity
This Hub brings together experts from various disciplines within and beyond IIASA to collaborate on assessing cities and climate change across diverse domains and scales.
Reach out to us via [email protected].
Projects
Global assessment of climate change strategies in cities
(2025-)
This project provides a systematic global assessment of climate change strategies across nine key urban service domains: mobility, buildings, energy, thermal comfort and heat stress management, food, water, waste management, urban risk and disaster management, and carbon dioxide removal. It is developed in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of 21 leading international urban climate experts (within and beyond IIASA), bringing together diverse perspectives to evaluate mitigation and adaptation options for cities worldwide.
AI for Urban Futures
(2025-)
This project explores how artificial intelligence can advance computational and simulation approaches for city-scale scenario analysis and projections. It focuses on improving urban system modeling, strengthening decision-support tools, and enabling more scalable and robust exploration of urban transformation pathways.
Urban mobility simulation
(2025-)
This project aims to enhance the understanding of sustainable mobility pathways in various cities through the expansion of the BENCH-Mobility model and a series of empirical studies. It seeks to explore how behavioral, social, and infrastructural factors interact to shape mobility choices, and how these dynamics can support more sustainable and equitable urban transport systems. The findings will help identify effective policy interventions and transition pathways toward low-carbon mobility across diverse urban contexts.
Urban Cooking in the Global South
(2025-)
This project investigates how household cooking choices in urban areas are shaped by the interaction of social and cultural practices, available technologies and infrastructure, fuel availability and affordability, and governance structures.
Urban Active Mobility
(2024-2025)
This project aims to enhance the understanding of active mobility in cities, focusing on needs, opportunities, and potential pathways. The project is divided into two phases: empirical studies (including household surveys and expert interviews) and modeling. Specifically, we will expand the BENCH agent-based model as a decision-support tool to provide deeper insights into the behavioral and social dynamics, as well as the infrastructure and service provisioning that influence mobility choices.
City Governance (IIASA-Japan joint research project)
(2024-2026)
This project aims to bridge the gap between professional knowledge on city governance and the scientific community. The main goal is to shed light on multi-level governance in cities regarding climate change-related issues, the role of cooperation, and city networks. The project is grounded in empirical studies, ranging from surveys and interviews to stakeholders' workshops (including scientists, local government representatives, and practitioners).
Find broadcast from NHK World Japan: here
URGED, IBGF funded project
(2024)
The URGED IBGF project leverages big granular data such as household microdata and earth observations to apply statistical methods aimed at identifying context-aware but globally applicable empirical relations between urban-scale solutions to reduce both the negative impacts of climate change, given the escalating vulnerability and risks faced by urban populations, and emissions. URGED will produce output data products that can be used by researchers and technical officers to inform decision makers involved with transforming cities to reduce their emissions and minimize the adverse socio-economic impacts of climate change.
Cities Transformation (IIASA-Japan joint research project)
(2023-2024)
This report aims to consolidate the current understanding of urban transformations, identifying critical knowledge gaps therein. It serves to support the scientific community, city stakeholders, and policy-makers in discerning areas warranting greater attention and, crucially, further investigation and study. Particularly, it provides updates on the IPCC 7th Assessment Cycle, with a specific focus on its Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.
Access full report: here
Trust in Climate Science
(2023-)
This project, conducted in collaboration with the Global Young Academy, aims to deepen understanding of trust in environmental and climate science.
Are you a researcher, policymaker, or science communicator working on environmental or climate issues? 🌍
We’d love to hear from you! 🎙️
Participate here.
Reports
IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities
The Special Report on Climate Change and Cities will provide a timely assessment of the latest science related to climate change and cities, including climate impacts and risks, as well as adaptation and mitigation solutions that can be taken to minimize them. Today, more than half of the world’s population is already living in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to further increase by 2050.
IPCC AR7 Climate Change: Mitigation of Climate Change
The Working Group III contribution to the Seventh Assessment Report
Working Group III focuses on climate change mitigation, assessing methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Cities Transformation Report
The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), in collaboration with its Japan National Member Organization (NMO), supported by Ministry of the Environment Japan (MOEJ) has initiated a joint research endeavor centered on Cities Transformation. The primary aim of this collaborative effort's inaugural phase is the compilation of a fast-track comprehensive report. This report aims to consolidate the current understanding of urban transformations, identifying critical knowledge gaps therein. It serves to support the scientific community, city stakeholders, and policy-makers in discerning areas warranting greater attention and, crucially, further investigation and study. Particularly, it provides updates on the IPCC 7th Assessment Cycle, with a specific focus on its Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.
Find the report: here.
UCCRN Third Assessment Report on Climate Change and Cities (ARC3.3)
ARC3.3 will provide up-to-date benchmarked knowledge for urban climate change researchers, city practitioners, and policymakers at all levels of governance to motivate rapid action. ARC3.3 represents a collaborative effort with 200+ authors from cities in low, middle, and high-income countries around the world. ARC3.3 is peer-reviewed and includes city projections, new research, and urban policy recommendations.
Find the report: here.
CCICED Special Policy Report on Digitalization
This report provides policy recommendations on promoting digitalization and green technologies for sustainable development.
Find the report: here.
The Summary for Urban Policymakers (SUP)
The Summary for Urban Policymakers (SUP) Volume III focuses on climate change mitigation in cities and urban areas. Drawing on latest research, this volume synthesizes key findings of the IPCC Working Group III Report for urban policy makers. Cities and urban areas offer significant opportunities for reducing emissions through a range of mitigation options such as low-emissions transport, energy-efficient buildings, or enhanced carbon storage using nature. Ambitious urban policies that forefront well-designed and effectively implemented mitigation interventions also hold co-benefits for adaptation and sustainable development goals.
Click here to watch a derivative video summarizing the key messages from the SUP Volume III.
Expert Report: Towards sustainable transformation
Research priorities in climate change and biodiversity
By exploring key research gaps and challenges in climate change and biodiversity, this report offers insights into promoting transformative change through research and innovation. Developed through an open and participatory approach, the report builds on the extensive international network of researchers and innovators at Future Earth and beyond. It investigates research needs around topics such as planetary health, societal values, governance, the role of policy instruments, emerging tools, and new ways to work across sectors to implement and drive transformations. Through this transdisciplinary approach, the authors highlight the importance of innovative and inclusive methodologies to tackle sustainability challenges and advocate for collaborative funding initiatives to support these endeavours. The outcomes of this research agenda are crucial in directing and prioritising research funding, emphasising the imperative of systems change in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.
More information: here.
Urban Futures Hub Series
Justice for Resilient Development in Climate-Stressed Cities
Date: 23.10.2025, 13:00 - 14:00 CET
The Urban Futures Hub is pleased to announce the third installment of its Urban Futures Series. Join us for an insightful discussion featuring distinguished speakers Diana Reckien, Minal Pathak, and Cynthia Rosenzweig about the Justice for Resilient Development in Climate-Stressed Cities.
IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities
Date: 12.02.2025, 11:00 - 12:00 CET
The Urban Futures Hub is delighted to announce the second installment of its Urban Futures Series, featuring an insightful discussion on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s upcoming Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. This groundbreaking report, part of the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Cycle (AR7), will commence with its First Authors' Meeting in March 2025 and is scheduled for completion by March 2027.
Digitalization and Green Technologies for Sustainable Urban Development
Date: 01.08.2024, 11:00 - 12:00 CET
The Urban Futures Hub is excited to announce the launch of its Urban Futures Series with a compelling inaugural event. Join us to hear from distinguished speakers Dirk Messner and Keywan Riahi on digitalization and green technologies in urban areas. The session will be moderated by Leila Niamir.
Seminar Highlights – Watch the Talks
Missed a session or want to revisit a talk? Explore our YouTube playlist with all seminars from the Urban Futures Hub seminar series – insightful discussions, expert perspectives, and more.
Updates
News
IPCC invites government representatives and experts to review the second draft of the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities
GENEVA, May 8 – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has opened registration for governments and experts to serve as Expert Reviewers on the Second-Order Draft (SOD) of the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.
More information: here.
Workshop
Urban Futures Hub Workshop: IIASA-Japan Cities project
Date: 9-10 Feb 2026
This expert workshop brings together international researchers and city practitioners to advance the IIASA-Japan joint research project on "Climate Change and Cities".
More information: here.
News
Leila Niamir selected as a Lead IPCC Author
Congratulations to IIASA researcher Leila Niamir on being selected as a Lead Author for the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. We look forward to learning more about the findings of this important publication!
More information on the report: here
Overview of all authors: here
Workshop
URGED Workshop on Urban Heat Impacts and Solutions
Date: 28 Nov 2024, 9:00 - 11:45 CET
The URGED (URban mitigation and adaptation strategies Gauging through Empirical functions and Data products) project is organizing a IIASA internal workshop in collaboration with the Urban Futures Hub. Starting with presenting the preliminary findings of this project, which examens the effects of urban green and blue spaces, the workshops seeks to create a collaborative space for exchanging knowledge and discussing various aspects of city-scale modeling framework. Our aim is to stimulate meaningful debates among IIASA researchers regarding pressing issues and research gaps that need to be addressed in the near future.
Event
EIRES Lunch lecture by Leila Niamir, Head of the Urban Future Hub
The renowned Eindhoven Institute for Renewable Energy Systems (EIRES) invited Dr. Leila Niamir to talk about "Social and Technical Innovations in Cities" during their Lunch Lecture series on 8 November 2024.
Experts Convene
CCICED Special Policy Study on Digitalization and Green Technology: Experts Convene in Vienna
Vienna, Austria - In July 2024, global experts from the CCICED Special Policy Study on Digitalization and Green Technology will gather in Vienna to explore the city's innovative urban climate initiatives. The event includes site visits to the Bereichsleitung Klimaangelegenheiten, Vienna Climate Council, and Aspern Seestadt, followed by an expert workshop at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). Collaborating with prestigious institutions, the event aims to forge strategies leveraging digitalization and green technology for sustainable urban development, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in addressing global climate challenges.
Event
IPCC Scoping Meeting of the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities
Date: 16 Apr - 19 Apr 2024
More information: here.
Interview
John Schellnhuber on the Crucial Role of Transforming Cities
In a compelling interview with the NHK World-Japan News Channel, IIASA Director General John Schellnhuber discusses the urgent need for sustainable urban development in the Global South and the transformative potential of eco-friendly building materials like timber and bamboo to combat climate change. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on rethinking our cities for a greener future.
Watch the Interview: here.
Event
Members
Leila Niamir
Senior Research Scholar (S3, TISS)
Keywan Riahi
Program Director and Principal Research Scholar (ECE); Principal Research Scholar (IACC, PM, S3, TISS); Principal Research Scholar (ICI)
Bas van Ruijven
Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar (S3); Principal Research Scholar (IACC, TISS)
Daniel Torren Peraire
Research Scholar (S3)
Alan Dill
Researcher (S3)
Merle Quade
Researcher (ECE, S3, DG)
Ari Ball-Burack
Research Assistant (ECE)
Giacomo Falchetta
Research Scholar (IACC)
Publications
CCICED (2024). Digitalization and Green Technologies for Sustainable Development. Digital-Green Dual Transformation and the Sustainable Development of Cities. China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) , Beijing,China.
Thomas, H., Carmona Aparicio, L.G., Creutzig, F., Hara, T., Hayashi, A., Callegari, C.L., Martinez, L., Kishimoto, P. , Niamir, L. , Saheb, Y., & Trouvé, M. (2024). Models and methods for transport demand and decarbonisation: A review. Environmental Research Letters 19 (9) e093005. 10.1088/1748-9326/ad6b3a.
Creutzig, F., Becker, S., Berrill, P., Bongs, C., Bussler, A., Cave, B., M. Constantino, S., Grant, M., Heeren, N., Heinen, E., Hintz, M., Ingen-Housz, T., Johnson, E., Kolleck, N., Liotta, C., Lorek, S., Mattioli, G., Niamir, L. , McPhearson, T., Milojevic-Dupont, N., Nachtigall, F., Nagel, K., Närger, H., Pathak, M., Perrin de Brichambaut, P., Reckien, D., Reisch, L., Revi, A., Schuppert, F., Sudmant, A., Wagner, F., Walkenhorst, J., Weber, E., Wilmes, M., Wilson, C. , & Zekar, A. (2024). Towards a public policy of cities and human settlements in the 21st century. npj Urban Sustainability 4 (1) e29. 10.1038/s42949-024-00168-7.
Niamir, L. , Riahi, K. , Brutschin, E. , Byers, E. , Gomez Sanabria, A. , Kaltenegger, K. , Kamei, M., Kiesewetter, G. , Kılkış, Ş., Klimont, Z. , Mastrucci, A. , Marztinez, L., Mimura, N., Nemet, G.F., Pachauri, S. , Pathak, M., Purohit, P. , Takemoto, K., Toth, F.L., van Ruijven, B. , Yamagata, Y., Zimm, C. , & Zusman, E. (2024). Cities Transformation. IIASA-Japan Joint Research Project , Zenodo. 10.5281/zenodo.10703436.
Edwards, P., Juhola, S., Saxena, P., Balag'kutu, T., Bastos, A., Capon, A., DeClerck, F., DeWitt, L., Niamir, L. , Roco, L., Sioen, G., & Ungvari, J. (2024). Towards sustainable transformation: Research priorities in climate change and biodiversity. Publications Office of the European Union doi/10.2777/591057.
Niamir, L. & Creutzig, F. (2025). Closing the gap: Integrating behavioral and social dynamics through a modular modelling framework for low-energy demand pathways. Energy Research & Social Science 122 e103988. 10.1016/j.erss.2025.103988.
Pettifor, H., Agnew, M., Wilson, C. , & Niamir, L. (2024). Disentangling the carbon emissions impact of digital consumer innovations. Journal of Cleaner Production 485 e144412. 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.144412.
Reckien, D., Juhola, S., Haque, A.N., Khalil, H.A., Lemos, M.F., Lwasa, S., Niamir, L. , Osorio, J.C., Visconti, C., Solecki, W., Pathak, M., Barata, M., Barau, A.S., Dombrov, M., & Rosenzweig, C. (2025). Justice for Resilient Development in Climate-Stressed Cities. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781009587112 10.1017/9781009587105.
Falchetta, G. & Hammad, A. (2025). Tracking green space along streets of world cities. Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability 5 (2) e025011. 10.1088/2634-4505/add9c4.
News
09 April 2026
Street green space can help cool cities, but it will not be enough on its own
A new IIASA-led study finds that expanding street green space can reduce urban heat stress in cities worldwide, but even ambitious greening efforts are unlikely to offset a significant share of the additional heat expected under climate change. Instead, the research shows that street greenery should be part of a broader portfolio of urban adaptation measures.
12 March 2026
Advancing knowledge on cities and climate change: Insights from the IIASA Urban Futures Hub
The IIASA Urban Futures Hub is a cutting-edge research initiative dedicated to studying and assessing how cities and urban systems can lead climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts from local to global scales. The Hub regularly brings together experts from various disciplines within and beyond the Institute to collaborate on assessing cities and climate change across diverse domains and scales. IIASA researchers Leila Niamir and Merle Quade share insights from the initiative's latest expert workshop.