How a historic Portuguese city is reinventing itself for a changing climate
Local Voices for SustainabilityShow Notes
When climate risk meets cultural heritage, cities have to make choices. In this episode, we head to Guimarães to find out how one of Europe’s oldest cities is rewriting its relationship with nature. Carlos Ribeiro, President of the Landscape Lab, takes us behind the scenes of fire prevention, riverbed restoration, and a green strategy that connects city, landscape, and community — just as Guimarães steps into the spotlight as European Green Capital and host of the European Urban Resilience Forum.
Check out Guimarães' Mapa Verde (Green Map) here.
More from Local Voices for Sustainability
How can cities design circular economy policies so that environmental and social benefits go hand in hand? In this episode, we hear from Emma Börjesson – Project Manager in the Circular Economy Team at the Environmental Department of the City of Malmö – about how the city is putting circularity into practice. As one of more than 90 cities to have signed the Circular Cities Declaration (CCD), Malmö offers a look at circular economy beyond waste and resource management. We explore Återbyggdepån (Reuse depot) and other initiatives, drawing on the Circular Cities Declaration Report to consider what other cities can learn from Malmö’s circular economy.
What does the concept of “Mobility As A Right” (MAAR) look like in practice? In this episode, we head to Mannheim, Germany, to explore how the city is rethinking transport through the UPPER project. Mobility Coordinator and Policy Advisor to the Mayor Tim Neugebauer from the City of Mannheim leads us through the city’s multimodal transport system, which serves both its industrial needs and its aim to make mobility more accessible, affordable and inclusive – all while balancing local and global climate goals.
What if the journey to school could make cities healthier, safer and more social? In this episode, we head to Grenoble to explore how rethinking streets around schools can transform everyday urban life. Edwin Hatton, Project Manager for Grenoble City Council, and Lysa Sérot, intern with the city’s Public Space Planning team, take us inside the 'Breath of School' project — winner of ICLEI Europe's Local Sustainability Award in 2025. Together, they reveal how child-friendly urban planning can strengthen climate resilience, improve quality of life and inspire cities far beyond Grenoble.
As heatwaves intensify and wildfire risks grow, cities on the urban-forest edge face mounting climate pressure. In this episode, we head to Athens to explore how data, AI and collaboration help the city detect wildfire threats before flames appear. Vangelis Marinakis from the National Technical University of Athens and Lina Magoula from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens take us inside the DRYADS project, where environmental data, smart monitoring and research partnerships come together to strengthen forest resilience and protect nearby neighbourhoods.
Is soil just dirt – or one of a city’s most critical assets? In this episode, we head to Nantes to uncover how soil underpins climate resilience, biodiversity, and urban growth. Director of Territorial Strategy, Clément Le Bras-Thomas, reveals why putting soil at the heart of planning could transform Europe’s cities.