Pro Publico Bono – Public Administration

Editorial

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

editorial

Climate Change and Urbanisation – Urban Challenges and Opportunities for Climate Protection Urban Policy

Bajnai László — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

In order to give a sense of the importance of the urbanisation challenge in relation to climate change, the paper reviews the basic characteristics of global warming as a threat to all humanity, and the role of fossil fuel-based urbanisation in causing it, in the light of recent research. In this context, it takes a systems approach to typical local conditions and processes to shed light on the complex causes and complex impacts of urbanisation and to provide a basis for climate-smart urban policies to address climate challenges at the city level. It analyses the key links that show that structural problems of urbanisation are among the causes and consequences of climate change. It presents a coherent framework of comprehensive urban development pathways to address these problems, building on the evidence to address local climate challenges. The analysis demonstrates through practical examples that climate objectives can only be achieved through an integrated approach. It concludes by highlighting that planned urban development consisting of the implementation of coherent urban development operations is essential to address urban climate challenges, while at the same time pointing to opportunities for improving the overall practice of urban development.

Human-Oriented Thinking in Urban Development Nowadays – Challanges and Responses

Fási Csaba — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Industry 5.0 is a technological-organisational framework that focuses, among other things, on sustainability, which has an impact on human well-being. The present paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the nature of the challenges cities face today to become human-scale settlements that meet the expectations of the modern age. It also presents the role of government in contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and its impact on society. It also provides details on the challenges facing cities and the EU's response. It briefly reports on the rankings that are relevant to the topic.

The Climate Policy of the Municipality of the City of Győr

Szaksz Vince, Laczkovits-Takács Tímea — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The study presents the local urban challenges of climate change in terms of global warming causes and consequences. It describes developments in renewable energy, green infrastructure and awareness-raising to address these challenges. It outlines the main directions for regulatory urban development and operational urban development to mitigate urbanisation problems related to the causes and consequences of global warming, in the light of the strategic documents that underpin the municipality's climate change policy. In the field of operational urban development, it indicates municipal efforts to improve energy, transport, parking, green spaces, water management and the rehabilitation of brownfield sites. It calls for complex urban development operations to be carried out in a planned way, using an integrated approach. The study highlights the importance of complex urban development action plans that allow for the concerted implementation of different interventions in order to achieve effective urban climate policies and economically balanced, sustainable and transparent urban development.

Climate-friendly Urban Policy in Kecskemét

Balogh Zoltán, Szemereyné Pataki Klaudia — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

As a consequence of climate change, the rapidly rising average temperatures, disproportionately extreme and simultaneously decreasing precipitation are increasingly influencing the operational conditions and livability of cities in a significant way. One of the key urban policy challenges of the 21st century is to explore all available tools that can help combat these adverse factors. The study presents climate-conscious urban policy in Kecskemét, which aims to address local challenges posed by climate change through the combined application of regulatory and operational urban development tools. In addition to promoting economic growth, the city places great emphasis on environmental sustainability, focusing not only on transforming transport infrastructure, establishing sub-centers, and utilizing brownfield areas, but also on developing green and blue infrastructure. The authors highlight how climate awareness is integrated into the city's urban planning principles and implemented through physical and social interventions, supporting the realization of the compact city model and contributing to the reduction of Kecskemét’s climate footprint.

Pécs MJV on the Path to Climate Neutrality. Municipal Toolset in Responding to the Challenges of Climate Change – Case Study

Ruzsa Csaba, Döbrönte Katalin, Hajdú Csaba, Meixner Barna — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Urbanization has significantly contributed to climate change, especially since the mid-20th century with urban growth and the widespread use of automobiles. The goal of sustainable urbanization is for cities to adapt to climate change and integrate the necessary measures into their urban development and management practices. This study examines the example of Pécs city, exploring how the municipality has recognized the challenges posed by climate change and the steps it has taken so far. Pécs’ participation in the European Commission’s Horizon Europe climate-neutral city mission marked an important step toward addressing these challenges. A significant portion of urban issues is related to changes in climatic conditions, and if proper measures are not taken, the quality of life and urban livability could be compromised in the medium term. The study explores the importance of climate modeling and forecasting, the resilience of infrastructure, and the development of green infrastructure and ecosystem services. The establishment of governance and management frameworks enables the renewal of infrastructure, the model of which is also presented. The conclusion outlines how the response to climate change challenges, along with the necessary regulatory and operational urban development measures, will transform urban infrastructure, shape the city's image, and improve the quality of life and livability in Pécs.

Székesfehérvár’s Climate-friendly Urban Policy – Case Study

Cser-Palkovics András, Lehrner Zsolt, Györök Orsolya — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The study deals with the climate protection problems of Székesfehérvár and the measures taken to solve the identified problems. The study aims to make good examples and experiences known to the widest possible audience and to serve as a model for other settlements. The study presents the projects and investments with which the city has taken significant steps in the field of climate protection. It covers the elements of the local regulatory system serving climate protection, the significant strategic documents that form the basis of strategic planning, the implemented projects serving climate protection goals, social engagement and the large-scale investments and development opportunities planned for the future. The study highlights that climate protection goals can only be achieved with measures developed with complex thinking and through measures implemented in cooperation with many fields of expertise.

Veszprém – Climate Protection on Seven Hills

Domokos Endre — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Veszprém, one of the oldest settlements in Hungary, faces unique environmental challenges due to its topography and history. The town was built on seven hills, which once provided protection but creates mobility and transport problems today. The effects of climate change, such as heat waves and periods of extreme precipitation, are increasing pressure on infrastructure and population. Increasing commuter traffic in the city exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions, while narrow streets in the historic urban fabric limit transport solutions.

Veszprém has significant green spaces that mitigate the effects of climate change, but their maintenance requires substantial resources. As a university and cultural centre, the city plays a key role in developing innovative climate change strategies. To reduce the impact of climate change, Veszprém is focusing on energy efficiency, sustainable transport and water management, including the modernisation of public transport, rainwater retention and the installation of shading green spaces. The city’s long-term goal is to provide its residents with a sustainable, climate-adapted and liveable environment.

The Local and Territorial Dimension of the ’Net Zero’ Strategy: Conditions for Implementation in the United Kingdom

Kaiser Tamás — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Climate change, global warming and carbon emissions into the atmosphere make it increasingly tangible and urgent to accelerate the "green transition" and implement decisions to reach the net zero emissions target by 2050. As the impact of public policies to achieve these targets varies between regions with different levels of development, the role, institutional and administrative capacity of local and regional authorities is crucial in the process of achieving net zero. The UK is at the forefront of preparing for a "green transformation", and English city-regions are showing considerable activity to implement net zero, despite not having all the necessary legal, institutional, financial and human resources. The study argues that in order to achieve a coherent "green transition", there is a need to identify the potential and values of each region as well as to involve the relevant actors. Based on this, there is a need for co-created visions and strategies.

The Role of Administrative Traditions in “Special Way” Of Swedish Disease Management

Tóth Tibor — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The study examines the first phase of government responses to the coronavirus, identified as a pandemic in March 2020, based on the relevant literature as well as primarily expert papers and databases. It relies on the hypothesis that the models adopted by the Nordic countries highlight the crucial role of administrative and policy traditions, as well as the ‘path dependency’ with historical roots in the wake of building strategies and institutions for disease management. This is underlined by the first phase of Swedish disease management, often referred to as “special” in comparison with general European practice, which aimed to keep balance between voluntarism and rigour, relying on the high degree of autonomy of its administrative institutions. The study concludes, that many factors could have an impact on the effectiveness of the different disease management strategies, within which the institutional stability, including the ability to change and adapt, plays a key role.

Where Are we Now? Transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0

Fási Csaba, Szűcs Petra — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 represents a significant evolution in industrial paradigms, characterized by increasing integration of human-centric approaches and sustainability within technological and organizational frameworks. While the industrial revolutions have historically been spread over long periods, the advancements have accelerated in recent decades, leading to the rapid development from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. Industry 4.0 focused on the digital transformation of manufacturing processes through increased automation, connectivity, and data exchange, leveraging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cyber-physical systems (CPS), and artificial intelligence (AI). In contrast, Industry 5.0 emphasizes the harmonious integration of human intelligence with smart machines, aiming to enhance human well-being and productivity through collaborative and sustainable practices. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the defining characteristics of both Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, highlighting their technological innovations, societal impacts, and the shift towards more inclusive, adaptive, and environmentally conscious industrial processes.