The 10th KreNI Conference, an event celebrating a decade of creativity, innovation, and youth empowerment, took place on December 6th and 7th, 2024, at Hotel Ambasador in Niš. This year’s conference, with Sweden as the country in focus, brought together distinguished experts, policymakers, and professionals to discuss proximity and its transformative impact on urban living.
A highlight of the event was the panel discussion titled “Is Proximity from Another Planet?” Moderated by Dr. Ivana Marjanović, Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš and researcher on the UR-DATA project, the session explored the implementation and challenges of proximity-based urban planning, including the globally recognized 15-Minute City concept.
The panel featured esteemed speakers:
- Johanna Alkan Olsson, Teacher and Researcher at the Centre for Environment and Climate Science, Lund University, Sweden, shared her expertise on the environmental and climate benefits of proximity-based urban models and the challenges in achieving sustainability goals.
- Marko Todorović, Architect and Director of Business Development at Semrén & Månsson International, offered insights into architectural innovations and the private sector’s role in advancing proximity-based solutions.
- Ivana Bogdanović Protić, Associate Professor and Chair of Town and Spatial Planning at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Niš, provided a regional perspective, emphasizing cultural and social dynamics in adopting proximity principles in Serbia and the Balkans.
The discussion underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration and innovative thinking in creating accessible, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments. It highlighted proximity’s potential to address global challenges, from climate change to urban accessibility, while fostering connected, human-centric cities.
The UR-DATA project is proud to have been represented at such a forward-thinking event, reinforcing its mission to support resilient and sustainable urban development.