Young People Offer Sustainable Solutions to Urban Chaos
26, February 2025
The youth-led initiative “Towards Sustainable Cities,” developed by Antonio Grujevski, Dora Ćiković, Paula Bolfan, Filip Ivanovski, Ivan Dominik Dragović, and Kristina Miloradović, was born out of a refusal to stand by while cities collapse under the pressure of poor planning.
Their vision is for smart, sustainable, and lawful urban governance to replace chaotic and often illegal construction. Instead of buildings being erected without order or logic, they propose strengthening local institutions, stricter inspections, and greater citizen involvement in decisions about the spaces they live in.
The initiative outlines several key steps:
- enhancing public oversight of urban planning,
- investing in green and resilient infrastructure,
- developing smart technologies (e.g. intelligent traffic systems, smart waste management),
- and promoting regional cooperation—because urban challenges know no borders.
At the heart of the initiative is education—for both citizens and decision-makers. The team proposes that local governments organize public consultations, launch digital platforms for citizen engagement, and open access to EU funds that support smart urban development.
The project can be applied in any local community seeking to improve quality of life and align with European standards. It especially relies on cooperation with municipalities, urban planners, civil society, and citizens who no longer want their cities to grow without order, logic, or green spaces.
Other initiatives developed by the program’s participants can be found in the publication “Green Horizons – Policy Pathways to a Sustainable Future.”
The relevant section of the publication regarding this initiative is available here: Sustainable cities.
