Transformation of Cities: Toward Resilient and Antifragile Models

Dear Colleagues,

Through the fast urbanization process of the last few decades, it clearly appears that cities, as centers of power, population, and economy growth, are at global scale unavoidable components of the needed transition toward environmental and social sustainability. Furthermore, urban areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change and biodiversity losses, the consequences of which, such as air contamination, heat waves or water scarcity, severely impact citizens’ well-being and health on a daily basis.

The current pandemic, which many scientists see as a wake-up call from nature, strongly highlights the complex links existing between the environment and our social systems. It makes it clear that the environmental equilibrium is even more fragile than accepted and shows the urgency for action toward decarbonized societies.

In this context, the improvement of cities’ resilience, i.e., their capacity to resist serious situations caused by eventual disasters while maintaining their functionality, and antifragility, i.e., their ability to thrive and improve with volatility and uncertainty, is fundamental.

This Special Issue aims to examine urban strategies, opportunities, and technologies that could tackle these current challenges and explore ways of building stronger and resilient cities. In that sense, suggested topics for this Special Issue include:

• Nature-based solutions and reintroduction of nature within the urban space;
• Urban biodiversity;
• Relocalization of employment, economic activities and supply chains;
• Environmentally friendly transportation and mobility;
• Energy efficiency of buildings;
• Urban electricity generation and electricity self-sufficiency;
• Relation between urban and rural areas;
• Antifragile and resilient urban planning;
• City’s quality of life and citizen well-being;
• Decarbonization strategies within cities.

Prof. Dr. Francesca Olivieri
Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Olivieri
Ms. Valentina Oquendo-Di Cosola
Ms. Louise Sassenou
Guest Editors

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