Be Ready: How to Cool Down Historic City Centres?

As part of the Be Ready project (Interreg Danube Region Programme), a multiplier event was held on 21 May 2026 in Kranj, focusing on the adaptation of historic city centres to rising temperatures. The event was organised by the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS) and the City of Kranj. The event brought together experts in spatial planning, cultural heritage protection and local governance, and opened a discussion on the key challenges of climate- resilient development in historic city centres.

The discussion highlighted:

• the need for a more systematic use of existing measures,
• the importance of integrated solutions (greenery, water, materials),
• the gap between planning and implementation, and
• the necessity to strengthen institutional and governance capacities.

Participants emphasised that pilot activities and strengthened inter-institutional cooperation are essential for effective climate adaptation of urban areas. In this context, synergies with the CICADA4CE project (Interreg Central Europe Programme) were also highlighted, as it develops participatory approaches to urban climate adaptation based on ecosystem- and community-based solutions (ECbA).

Peer review of the draft Local action plan to prevent and mitigate urban heat island risks and vulnerabilities in the City of Kranj at UIRS

Within the Be Ready project (INTERREG Danube Region Programme), a peer review of the draft Local action plan to prevent and mitigate urban heat island risks and vulnerabilities in the City of Kranj was conducted at the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS) on 14 May 2026 in Ljubljana (Slovenia).

The draft was presented by Nataša Beltran (ENVIRODUAL), followed by a discussion involving project partners from the UIRS, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STUBA) and the City of Kranj. The discussion focused on improving the proposed measures and ensuring their alignment with local strategic documents.

Particular emphasis was devoted on linking the Local action on urban heat islands in the City of Kranj developed within the Be Ready project (INTERREG Danube Region Programme), with the Action plan on climate change adaptation of the City of Kranj prepared within the CICADA4CE project (INTERREG Central Europe Programme). In this context, the need for integrated approaches combining technical, ecological and social aspects was highlighted.

The peer review contributed to the further improvement of the Action Plan and supported knowledge exchange among project partners.

Foto: Barbara Mušič (UIRS)

The first two articles of the forthcoming issue of Urbani izziv

The first two articles of the forthcoming issue of the scientific journal Urbani izziv (Vol. 37, No. 1) have been published online.

The first article, titled Assessing carbon sequestration based on tree species in urban areas: findings from Bucharest, is authored by Laurentiu Ciornei and Athanasios-Alexandru Gavrilidis. The authors analyse the role of urban trees in carbon sequestration in Bucharest and highlight the importance of expanding the use of native tree species and nature-based approaches to urban greening. The article is available at the following link.

The second article, titled Vitality of medium-sized cities: results of a multicriteria spatial analysis, is authored by Petar Vranić, Ljiljana Vasilevska, and Ivana Petkovski. The authors examine the spatial distribution of urban vitality in Niš and present an important analytical framework for spatial planning, urban regeneration, and further research on medium-sized post-socialist cities. The article is available at the following link.

The graph from the article Assessing carbon sequestration based on tree species in urban areas: findings from Bucharest shows the characteristics of species among urban trees and shrubs in Bucharest (source: authors of the article).

We kindly invite you to read both articles.

Transformative Transport Planning Research Group UIRS at the OHS Festival

Our first participation in the Open House Slovenia festival exceeded expectations. As part of the festival programme, we lead on Friday, April 17 2026, the STPN UIRS urban walk entitled Transport and Public Space – Missed Opportunities, which attracted numerous professionals from the field as well as members of the interested public.

The walk started from Eipprova Street, continued via French Revolution Square and Vegova Street, and finished at Congress Square. Along the route, we discussed the role of transport in shaping public space in Ljubljana, overlooked spatial potentials, and possibilities for more inclusive, high-quality, and sustainable urban environments. The walk was led by Dr Mojca Balant, with the support of Sarah Klarić.

We would like to thank all participants for their engagement and inspiring discussions, as well as the Open House Slovenia festival team for the excellent organisation and support.

Photo: Jure Gubanc

Be Ready – knowledge transfer to future spatial planners for designing climate-resilient solutions

On Thursday, 9 April 2026, the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia delivered a lecture at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Ljubljana as part of the Master's course Strategic Spatial Planning (Urbanism programme), presenting the acupuncture approach of the Be Ready project (INTERREG Danube Region Programme) as a solution for mitigating urban heat islands through targeted small-scale spatial interventions.

Special emphasis was placed on:

- green solutions (green areas and vegetation),

- blue solutions (water elements), and

- white solutions (innovative use of materials).

In addition to mitigating overheating at specific urban micro-locations, these small-scale acupuncture interventions also contribute to raising awareness among local decision-makers and residents about the importance of climate adaptation, reducing climate impacts, and identifying effective climate-resilient solutions at both the micro-urban and city-wide levels.

Be Ready highlighted at the event “Cities and Settlements of the Future”

At the presentation of the project Adapting Settlements to Climate Change in Center Rog (Ljubljana), the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS) presented to around 200 participants how the international Be Ready project can complement national recommendations for the development of climate‑resilient settlements.

Be Ready introduces blue, green and white acupuncture solutions – small, quickly implementable and effective interventions that cool micro‑urban areas and improve microclimatic conditions. Examples from Slovenia and abroad clearly show that even minor spatial interventions can significantly enhance quality of life and increase awareness among decision‑makers and the public about the need for climate adaptation and climate‑mitigation measures.

In the project Adapting Settlements to Climate Change, UIRS works alongside the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia, and external experts in climatology, sociology and horticulture. Together, they form an interdisciplinary approach supporting the future development of Slovenian settlements.

Invitation to an expert seminar

Tuesday, 10 March 2026, from 11:00 to 12:30

The Transformative Transport Planning Research Group (TTPRG) of the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia invites you to an expert seminar:

How to Achieve Better Regional Railway Connections Quickly and Without Major Investments

For decades, Slovenia has planned the development of passenger rail transport primarily through costly infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, existing railway infrastructure remains underutilised. International experience shows that it is possible to significantly improve the performance of passenger rail services through organisational and governance changes, without waiting for new lines and multi-million-euro investments. Such measures can deliver tangible results within a single political term.

At the expert seminar, speakers will present examples of good practice from abroad:

• Stefan Walter (Provincial Government of Styria, Austria)
• Karl-Heinz Posch (Institute for Traffic Education, IVP)
• Prof. Dr Tom Rye (Transformative Transport Planning Research Group, UIRS)
• Dr Aljaž Plevnik (Transformative Transport Planning Research Group, UIRS)

The expert seminar will be held in English, both in person at the premises of the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia in Ljubljana (Trnovski pristan 2, classroom on the 2nd floor) and online, on

Tuesday, 10 March 2026, from 11:00 to 12:30.

 

REGISTRATION:

Participation is free of charge. Prior registration via the registration form is required by 5 March 2026. The number of in-person participants is limited.

 

Credit points:
• ZAPS – 1 credit point, Section B (Theory and Reference Practice)
• IZS – pending approval.

You are kindly invited!

 

PROGRAM

11.00 – 11.30	Presentation of good practices from the Graz region Stefan Walter, Provincial Government of Styria, Austria
11.30 – 11.40	Well connected: Gleisdorf's 100 public transport links per day to Graz Karl-Heinz Posch, Institute for Traffic Education, IVP, Austria
11.40 – 11.50	Rail and bus improvements on existing infrastructure in South Sweden Prof. dr. Tom Rye, Transformative Transport Planning Research Group, UIRS
11.50 – 12.00	Japan’s Toyama – From One Mayoral Term to a Regional Railway dr. Aljaž Plevnik, Transformative Transport Planning Research Group, UIRS
12.00 – 12.30	Discussion

 

Stefan Walter is responsible for the strategic development of public transport in the province of Styria, Austria. He studied civil engineering in Graz and Prague and completed his PhD at Graz University of Technology on long-term railway infrastructure development through the expansion of the integrated timetable. His main areas of expertise are transport planning, timetable design, infrastructure development, and transport strategies. He also lectures on urban and local transport at Graz University of Technology.

 

Karl-Heinz Posch is a traffic planner from Graz, former director of Austrian Mobility Research and former coordinator of the European Platform on Mobility Management. Currently he is an activist for sustainable transport within MoVe-iT-Graz, researcher in the framework of URBIS (the urban innovation studio) and chairman of the Grüne Akademie Steiermark.

 

Prof. Dr. Tom Rye is an internationally recognised expert in sustainable transport policy and mobility management. He has extensive experience in research, teaching and advisory work, supporting governments and public authorities in the development and implementation of sustainable transport strategies. His work focuses on transport governance, parking policy, travel demand management and behaviour change.

 

Dr. Aljaž Plevnik is a transport planning expert with more than 30 years of experience in the field. He leads a professional group specializing in sustainable mobility and integrated transport planning, with a strong emphasis on cooperation and evidence-based policy development. He is actively involved in national and international initiatives promoting sustainable transport policy.

 

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Additional information:

E: stpn@uirs.si         W: https://www.uirs.si/stpn

The expert seminar is organised by the Transformative Transport Planning Research Group of the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia. It is intended for professionals working in transport and spatial planning, media representatives, and the interested public.

This activity is co-financed through the integrated project LIFE IP CARE4CLIMATE (LIFE17 IPC/SI/000007), funded by the European LIFE Programme, the Climate Change Fund, and the project partners.

Webinar on parking management

January 27, 2:00–3:30 PM, Online (Microsoft Teams)

We are pleased to invite you to a free webinar on parking management with prof. dr. Tom Rye and Andraž Hudoklin, members of the Transformative Transport Planning Research Group at the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia. 

In the webinar, titled “Parking Management Between Politics and the Public Interest,” we will discuss: 
– Why parking management is not a political suicide 
– How to build public acceptance for changes in parking policies 
– What parking policy changes have been implemented in Slovenia 

When? January 27, 2:00–3:30 PM 
Where? Online (Microsoft Teams) 

REGISTER by January 26. 2026

Attendance is free of charge, the webinar will take place in English.   

This webinar is organised in collaboration between the Transformative Transport Planning Research Group of the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia and CIVINET Slovenia–Croatia, within the NXTLVL Parking project. 

The winter issue of the scientific edition of the journal Urbani izziv / Urban challenge has been published!

During the upcoming holiday season and cozy winter evenings, we invite you to read the new issue of Urbani izziv / Urban Challenge (Volume 36, No. 2), which features a great variety of pertinent research topics.

The articles address social sustainability in the North Kazakhstan Region, the suitable placement of bus station in the Turkish city of Uşak, the impact of the 2023 earthquake on open public spaces in the Turkish city of Malatya, and the role of modernist architecture in the development of Ljubljana and Sarajevo. The issue also examines the impact of the urban environment on the mental well-being of residents and highlights the importance of public health in urban planning.

You are invited to check the online version of the issue or order a physical copy using the order form.

 

Season’s greetings and best wishes for the New Year 2026!