In this special episode of the Sustainable Futures Podcast, Earth5R founder Saurabh Gupta speaks with Dr. Simone Sandholz, Academic Officer and Head of Urban Futures and Sustainability Transformation at the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS).
This conversation explores the future of climate-resilient cities, the role of community-led environmental action, and how academic research can fuel systemic transformation in urban ecosystems.
About the Guest:
Dr. Simone Sandholz is an internationally respected urban geographer and sustainability expert. At UNU-EHS, she leads the Urban Futures and Sustainability Transformation Programme, focusing on resilience, migration, and equitable development.
About the Host:
Saurabh Gupta is the founder of Earth5R, India’s largest environmental organization driving measurable climate action across 65 countries. He leads the BlueCities Network, a global initiative bringing together institutions, cities, and citizens to reimagine urban ecosystems.
Conversation:
Simone’s Journey
Saurabh Gupta: Welcome to another episode of the Sustainable Futures Podcast. Today, our guest is Dr. Simone Sandholz, a Senior Scientist at the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, also known as UNU-EHS.
Dr. Simone holds a PhD in Geography, a Master’s in Natural Resource Management, and a Diploma in Architecture and Urban Planning. Her research focuses on future-oriented vulnerabilities and risk reduction, especially in urban areas.
Two key areas of her expertise are resilient urban and regional development, with an emphasis on critical infrastructure, and nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and risk reduction. Welcome to the podcast, Dr. Simone.
Dr. Simone Sandholz: Hello, and I’m super happy to be here.
Saurabh Gupta: To start with, could you tell us a little about where you are currently located? Which city or part of the world are you in right now?
Dr. Simone Sandholz: That’s a very good question. You mentioned I’m with the United Nations, which has offices across many countries. Personally, I’m based in Bonn, Germany. Our institute, UNU-EHS, is located on the UN Campus in Bonn. United Nations University has multiple offices worldwide, with our headquarters in Tokyo.
Saurabh Gupta: And what about your hometown?
Dr. Simone Sandholz: I’m actually not even from a town—I’m from a small village. I was born and raised in Germany, about 100 kilometers from where I live now. It’s a village of around 800 people.
Saurabh Gupta: That sounds wonderful. Growing up in a small village in Germany must have been special.
Dr. Simone Sandholz: Absolutely. I spent a lot of time roaming the forests and looking after my sister and cousins.
Saurabh Gupta: Did sustainability influence your upbringing in any way?
Dr. Simone Sandholz: I think it does for most people. When you grow up in nature, you naturally embrace it. Even though I lived in a village, we had towns nearby, and as a child, you develop a natural preference for beautiful, green spaces.
Saurabh Gupta: That’s really amazing. I also grew up in a village in the Himalayas, and it was a very defining factor in starting Earth5R. Dr. Simone, could you tell us a bit more about the United Nations University and what it does? Many people might not be familiar with it.
Dr. Simone Sandholz: I’m happy too. The United Nations University is unique because it belongs to the UN system but also functions as a university. It was founded in the 1970s as a think tank for the UN.
Each of our institutes around the world acts like a faculty within a university. They are spread across different countries, each focusing on specific topics. Our institute in Bonn works on environmental and human security.
That includes issues like climate change and disaster risk reduction. We operate under three pillars: research, policy work, and education. We also offer a Master’s program in collaboration with the University of Bonn.
It’s called the Master’s in Geography of Risk and Human Security. The program attracts a very international group of students and has been very successful.
Saurabh Gupta: Do you have a dedicated campus for the United Nations University, or is it part of some other campus?
Dr. Simone Sandholz: I wish we did! And since I’m talking to someone from India, where many universities have large, beautiful campuses, I can say that it’s quite different here. In Germany, universities are often integrated into the cities rather than having a single campus.
So, our students attend lectures both at the University of Bonn and here at what’s called the UN Campus. But really, the “UN Campus” is made up of former government buildings from West Germany, before reunification.
These buildings have now been repurposed for UN offices, including UNU-EHS.
Saurabh Gupta: How do students apply to the United Nations University if they want to join the program?
Dr. Simone Sandholz: Thank you for asking—that gives me a great opportunity to talk about our Master’s program! Students can apply through our website: unu.edu/ehs. All the details are available there, including deadlines and eligibility.
The application window usually opens in autumn. It’s a competitive selection process, but we particularly encourage students from low- and middle-income countries. Many of them qualify for scholarships provided by the German Academic Exchange Service.
The program welcomes students from various backgrounds, not just geography. We have engineers, planners, and professionals from related fields. It’s a diverse and international group, which makes the learning environment really vibrant.
Simone’s Professional Path
Saurabh Gupta: As a leader in sustainability and urban development, could you share some early moments or challenges that shaped your perspective? For example, you began with architecture but then shifted focus toward more livable and sustainable cities.
Dr. Simone Sandholz: That’s a lovely way of putting it—thank you. I initially chose architecture because I was fascinated by buildings and how to design them sustainably.
During my studies, though, I realized that most of the assignments were focused on idealized designs, like creating an opera house in a remote location. That made me question the real-world impact of such work.
I found myself more interested in how cities actually function and how people live in them. This led me to shift toward resource management and eventually earn a PhD in urban geography.
That moment—when I realized I cared more about the people and the systems that shape our urban life than just the buildings—was a turning point. I became more focused on open spaces, mobility, infrastructure, and how we can improve collective urban living.
Saurabh Gupta: So essentially, your approach became more people-driven rather than just focused on the built environment? A more systemic outlook?
Dr. Simone Sandholz: Absolutely, yes. I would say that’s a very accurate way to describe it.
Saurabh Gupta: Your work bridges research and artistic expression. Could you share how your personal experiences led you to blend these two fields, especially in the context of climate change?
Dr. Simone Sandholz: One key influence was definitely my background in architecture. Designing a building isn’t just about functionality—it also requires a creative, even artistic, approach. That blend of practicality and inspiration has stayed with me.
Even as a researcher now, I believe that how we communicate and disseminate our work matters a lot. Over time, I’ve felt the need to explore more creative and engaging ways of sharing research.
We’ve started experimenting with different formats that connect more deeply with people’s daily lives. One example—visible in the background of my screen—is a project that reflects this creative side. Photography—yes.
Besides using traditional research methodologies like interviews or focus group discussions, we’re increasingly exploring artistic methods to capture messages from people. Photography is one of the most powerful tools we’ve found for that purpose.
In fact, these photos you see behind me are from a project I’m currently involved in. It’s called Transformative Urban Coalitions, a six-year initiative supported by the International Climate Initiative under the German government.
As the name suggests, the project is about bringing together the various people needed to create more sustainable cities. It’s not just about politicians, although they play a crucial role. It also includes citizens, communities, and local stakeholders.
We’re working to create inclusive spaces where everyone can meet, build trust, and contribute to shared urban goals. This work is happening in five cities across Latin America, and we’re about halfway through the project.
One of the key approaches we use is tactical urbanism. This involves temporary, low-cost changes to the built environment—like transforming a street corner into a pedestrian-friendly or child-friendly area.
The idea is to co-design these changes based on a common vision for the neighborhood. It’s not always easy. Different people have different priorities—someone might care about traffic, another about green spaces.
But if we can agree on a shared long-term vision—say, what we want our city to look like in 30 years—then it’s easier to align short-term actions today. And when we appeal to people’s emotions and imagination—not just statistics and policy—it becomes much easier to build that shared vision.
Community and Global Impact
Saurabh Gupta: That reminds me of something I’d like to share from Earth5R’s work. In Mumbai, we noticed garbage patches near lakes, rivers, and beaches.
As part of our community development program, we started organizing cleanups where citizens would gather and participate in restoring those spaces. But we added a twist: we included children and people with artistic interests.
After cleaning the space, we’d do activities—like playing football, painting, or even playing music. The idea was to create a sense of ownership. Once children began playing in those cleaned spaces, more people started using them. They became community zones again.
We found that when a space is reclaimed emotionally—through play, art, and community—it stays clean. People protect it because it becomes theirs. It’s a bit like how tribal communities used to gather around a fire, building culture and identity through shared activities.
Dr. Simone Sandholz: That’s so inspiring, and I think that’s exactly it. You just nailed it. It really starts with someone taking the initiative and owning a space. Once that happens, others follow—and eventually, it becomes a true community effort.
It’s deeply rewarding because it brings people closer together. In today’s world, many people live in silos. We see nuclear families, limited interaction, and minimal connection between neighbors or companies. That’s why public spaces often get neglected.
But if we want to become more environmentally conscious, we need to step out into these spaces and start doing things together as a community. From our institute’s perspective—especially in climate change and disaster risk reduction—this kind of community action is vital.
It may seem like people are just gathering to play guitar, as you said beautifully, but there’s a deeper layer. Cleaning garbage, rethinking how spaces are used, making places greener—these are all sustainability actions.
And even if we don’t call them that, intuitively, people are engaging in nature-based solutions. Stronger community ties can also reduce disaster risks. Greening spaces or managing waste helps protect areas from floods or urban heat.
The act of people coming together and caring for their environment has real, measurable benefits. During your programs, when you combine cleanup with tree planting, you’re creating healthier ecosystems.
That draws in biodiversity—birds, butterflies—and improves urban resilience. Now, about working with Oscar-winning filmmakers—yes, it sounds impressive, and it is! But it’s also part of a thoughtful strategy.
In the Transformative Urban Coalitions project, we’re collaborating with Duki Dror and Matthieu Bonpoint, a German-French team who won an Oscar for Best Documentary. They joined our project and began capturing short documentaries—10 to 15 minutes—featuring voices of global leaders in urban climate action.
Then we extended the scope. Now these films also feature local community voices from the cities we’re working in. The idea is to bridge both worlds—the global and the local. It’s a way to educate, inspire, and showcase real-life solutions.
One story is about waste picking in Brazil, just like what you mentioned in Mumbai. Another shows how communities are rethinking transportation. These films are powerful. People speak directly into the camera, sharing their journeys and challenges.
They express their hopes and ideas about what needs to change. And you can see how the small actions of individuals and communities can add up to global transformation. Yes, the documentaries are available for everyone to watch.
They’re hosted on our website and also on our YouTube channel. I should promote them more often! The project website is urbancoalitions.org.
Since we are working primarily with cities in Latin America, the videos are currently available in English, but subtitles in Spanish and Portuguese will be added soon. That would be great if you could include a link to the podcast—thank you for that.
In my work, I focus on linking local needs to global climate action. This is shaped by the broader context of the UN system.
Most of us have heard about frameworks like the Paris Agreement for climate action, the Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction, and the Sustainable Development Goals. While these are global in nature, they are implemented nationally and most effectively at the local level.
That’s where our work comes in. Our research aims to bridge this gap by asking: what can be done locally that aligns with global frameworks? It’s a two-way process. We translate global frameworks into locally appropriate actions while also feeding local experiences back into global discussions.
That’s one of the most rewarding aspects of my work with the institute—seeing how diverse cultures and geographies adapt and interpret these global goals in unique, community-based ways.
Now, turning to urban labs. This approach became more widely recognized in the past decade, especially in Europe and North America. Traditionally, researchers would collect data from communities in a more extractive way—by observing or measuring, rather than truly collaborating.
Urban labs shift that. They’re about co-creation, where research, policy, and community action work hand in hand. One example is an urban lab in a marginalized area near Buenos Aires, Argentina.
This area had already developed an “environmental table,” a local group focused on making the neighborhood more environmentally friendly. We built on that by setting up an urban lab. In this space, city officials, residents, NGOs, activists, and even a local filmmaker came together.
They worked to identify problems, co-develop solutions, and take collective action. As researchers, we participate not just by observing but by contributing knowledge and helping structure the process.
This includes working closely with local researchers to ensure cultural and contextual relevance. We also work closely with local universities. With their help, we explore how the data we collect and analyze can support community-led development.
In the urban lab, researchers bring analytical tools and datasets to inform and strengthen the process. Our expertise allows us to interpret data and offer insights that help the lab evolve and support long-term urban development.
At the same time, we are also collecting data within the urban lab. This includes participatory observation, where a local researcher attends meetings and observes how community interactions shift over time.
These changes in engagement styles may seem subtle, but they are incredibly important. They shape how future generations take part in local decision-making, often giving them a stronger voice and a place at the table.
Urban labs are essentially spaces for interaction. As researchers, we contribute to them, but we also learn from them. We gather insights, analyze them, and then return the findings to the group. This helps shape solutions that are both data-informed and locally grounded.
Over time, this process has led to publications and presentations at international conferences, where we’ve even included community members so they can share their experiences directly. These urban labs become platforms for wider dialogue.
They not only connect stakeholders within a city but also allow communities to learn from others globally. This kind of exchange is critical—not only for Latin America but for cities everywhere.
The way people live, interact, and connect with their surroundings plays a central role in shaping inclusive, resilient cities. That idea brings me back to my PhD work. I explored how people relate to their cities and how much value they assign to their surroundings.
My background in architecture and conservation led me to study emotional and cultural connections to urban spaces—places of memory and meaning. These could be open spaces, buildings, or even everyday practices like cleaning or playing music.
Once a space becomes personally meaningful, people naturally want to invest more in it. That sense of ownership can unify a community. When it comes to the data we collect, we make a point to share it widely.
Yes, we publish academic papers and present at conferences, but we also focus on reaching policymakers. That’s a key part of our mandate at UN-Habitat and within our research team.
We don’t keep the data locked in technical documents—we translate it into formats that are accessible and actionable for different audiences. Of course, academic research often stays within a small circle.
That’s why we want to partner with professionals from different sectors—academia, policy, and business. Working together, we can turn this knowledge into concrete change. It’s about mobilizing insight into collective action, and that’s where real transformation happens.
Honestly, we recently completed a very meaningful project focused on a new area within international climate action: loss and damage. You might already be familiar with climate mitigation and adaptation.
Loss and damage is now emerging as a third critical stream, acknowledging that some climate-induced disasters will cause unavoidable harm, and we must find ways to address and compensate for that.
In this project, we studied cities across different continents, with a particular focus on informal settlements. These communities are often the most affected by disasters.
People living in informal areas usually occupy marginal lands—flood-prone zones or unstable slopes—because they have no other choice. At the same time, they often lack access to formal social protection systems.
We produced a comprehensive policy report of around 80 to 100 pages. It’s not just academic research but also tailored for practical use. We understood that policymakers are often very busy, so we created condensed versions—two- to three-page summaries—and developed targeted recommendations.
There are about 20 actionable suggestions from this project, addressing different levels of governance: international, national, local, and NGO sectors. Yes, I’m also involved in collaborations with other UN bodies like UNDRR and UNCCD.
These organizations focus on disaster risk reduction through nature-based solutions and urban land restoration, respectively. My work aligns with broader frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Our institute is mandated to support such collaborations, and we actively work with several UN entities. A key milestone for me came even before I joined UNU. At the time, I was working with a German university, and we partnered with UNEP—the United Nations Environment Programme.
Together, we developed a master’s module on ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction. This included reforestation, flood retention strategies, and other nature-based interventions. We collaborated with about 15 to 18 universities worldwide.
That experience was incredibly powerful. We created open-source teaching materials that anyone can use globally. Just last week, I heard from a former colleague that the follow-up MOOC—Massive Open Online Course—based on that content has reached over 100,000 students.
That was a defining moment for me. It showed me that even as a young lecturer, I could contribute meaningfully to global change by collaborating with this extended family of experts.
I contributed to that initiative and stayed involved. At some point, I was offered the opportunity to join the United Nations University. That was already seven or eight years ago. Even within UNU, my journey continued to evolve over time.
I joined after finishing my PhD. A few years in, I was asked to build and lead a team focused on cities and urban research. At that time, cities were acknowledged as important, but not yet a central part of UNU’s agenda.
Given that more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, we made urban research more prominent. This transition was gradual. I was supported by colleagues and also motivated by the increasing demand from other UN organizations.
For instance, our work with UNCCD—on urban land restoration—is a recent and exciting development. We’re now co-developing a new teaching module aimed at architects and urban planners, integrating restoration and nature-based solutions into their training.
Coming back to the loss and damage topic, which we discussed earlier—it’s now gaining much-needed attention. It was first mentioned at an international climate conference back in 2003.
Last year, during the Conference of the Parties (COP) under the Paris Agreement, the Loss and Damage Fund received its first financial pledges. That was a major milestone. Countries recognized that climate-induced losses and damages are real and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable.
This fund is meant to support those already suffering. While the creation of the fund is a big win, the challenge now is in developing effective mechanisms for disbursing that support. There are many experts from the finance community working on how these funds will be distributed.
At our institute, we also have colleagues focused on climate finance. My role is more from the urban angle. As urbanization accelerates, cities are receiving more people displaced by disasters. We need to prepare cities for that future.
Our recent work includes two studies that will be published soon. We focused on the impacts of disasters on people living in urban informal settlements. We also explored the mechanisms that already exist to support these communities before, during, and after such events.
Importantly, we examined how to align these efforts with access to future funding from the Loss and Damage Fund. A key recommendation is to build on existing knowledge and data. Much of this data goes beyond official census records.
Informal communities often know their challenges intimately, but they remain blank spots on many maps. That needs to change for them to benefit from international support mechanisms.
Exactly. It’s about connecting the dots and valuing that specific local knowledge. Internationally, we often speak about indigenous and local knowledge, but it’s that very grounded local understanding that bridges global frameworks with real action.
This link was highlighted again at the recent UN Summit of the Future in New York, where local knowledge featured prominently in the final declaration.
Out-of-the-Box Solutions
Saurabh Gupta: That’s also why the Earth5R app is structured around community-led modules. The belief is that while problems are global, solutions must start locally.
Through the app, people go out into their neighborhoods and create data points—on tree cover, waste hotspots, noise and water pollution, children’s play areas, bike parking, green zones, and even community seating spaces. This kind of granular data reflects true urban living conditions.
Large cities often prioritize car parking and residential blocks, leaving no space for community interaction. So collecting this kind of data helps highlight gaps in urban planning. More importantly, it gives us a real understanding of what’s happening on the ground. And this type of data is powerful.
Dr. Simone Sandholz: From a disaster risk reduction perspective, knowing where people gather is crucial. These spaces can act as emergency meeting points, or areas to distribute relief during a crisis.
This local data, collected through crowdsourcing, can serve many critical purposes. The key is creating systems that can channel and apply that data effectively. What makes it even more powerful is the network effect.
If a disaster strikes, one message through the app can instantly reach citizen leaders across different regions. These leaders, who are embedded within their communities, are often more trusted and can act swiftly. That’s the future of responsive disaster management.
Now, about the Urban Labs. For me personally, the most rewarding aspect is seeing change happen at the local level. Beyond the research and publications, it’s knowing we’ve helped improve lives on the ground. It also builds trust.
In contrast to extractive research practices—where outsiders collect data and disappear—we aim to build lasting partnerships with communities. A good example is from Buenos Aires.
The informal settlement we studied there, supported by local researchers from our partners at IIED América Latina, applied for recognition and support through local mechanisms. That was a direct result of our collaboration.
The data and engagement empowered the community to seek and secure resources, not just be studied. They painted murals to educate children and others on environmental behavior. Their work won a prize and gained international recognition.
Just knowing that we contributed even a little bit to that success is incredibly rewarding. It’s a powerful example of community action and how local efforts can bridge global gaps.
Last year, we took two people—one community leader from that area and one colleague from Argentina’s city government—to the climate conference in Dubai. It was far more impactful to have them share their own stories directly, rather than someone else speaking for them.
Seeing them connect with others, including people from India, and realizing that the challenges they face are actually quite similar across continents, was moving. That understanding creates space for shared solutions. Their stories were powerful, and watching them thrive in that international space was truly rewarding.
Saurabh Gupta: Let me share one story from the early days of Earth5R. When we began, we believed that the local area should be clean—that a clean environment is part of our ecosystem. In Mumbai, there are many slums alongside high-rise buildings.
One day, I was walking through a slum area and started speaking with local residents—mainly women standing outside, many of whom were unemployed. We talked about the waste issue, particularly cloth waste, and asked if they’d be willing to help keep the area clean.
One woman responded bluntly: “I’ve seen you cleaning the lake, taking selfies afterward. But tell me—how does this help me? I don’t know if I’ll have food tonight.” That hit hard. It was an eye-opening moment. We often look at the world through our own lens.
If policy is created by people higher up the economic pyramid, it may miss the real needs of others. That’s when we realized livelihood was the key issue. We developed a circular economy model that turned waste into products and launched a social entrepreneurship program.
It was a success for the community and for us. But yes, it’s easy to get blinded into thinking that what we do is universally good. Your approach, where you truly listen and co-create with communities, is exactly what’s needed.
Dr. Simone Sandholz: I recall a similar moment during my PhD work in Nepal. One of my lecturers was connected to an NGO there, and I got involved through her. In Kathmandu, we were discussing nature-based solutions to deal with earthquakes, flooding, and landslides.
At that time, these solutions were still relatively new, and we had to work hard to convince engineers that they made sense. Many believed in traditional infrastructure—dams, barriers, and concrete structures.
That colleague in Kathmandu gave me an eye-opener. He asked, “Are you trying to sell me something you wouldn’t apply in Germany or Europe? Have you seen Queen Elizabeth planting rice in front of Buckingham Palace?” That comment stayed with me.
It made me realize we need to understand what makes sense for a community—what’s locally relevant and acceptable—rather than just assuming something that works elsewhere will be welcomed.
At the same time, successful examples from other regions do have value. They can inspire change-makers and demonstrate what’s possible. City B can learn from City A, even across countries and continents. These models can reach down to the local level, where communities adapt them in meaningful ways.
Skills, Learning, and Growth
Saurabh Gupta: Simone, your work combines scientific analysis and community-driven efforts. How do you balance these two approaches?
Dr. Simone Sandholz: For me, it’s no longer even a distinction. Research isn’t just academic or data collection—it includes action research, participatory research, and community-led efforts.
For example, in our ToC project in Brazil, we supported a community-based enumeration. These communities aren’t covered by formal census data, so without this process, they can’t make demands or advocate for support.
Importantly, it wasn’t us collecting the data. We trained local community members and partnered with a local university. This way, the knowledge stays in the community. It brings us back to the idea of what counts as “research” or “valid knowledge.”
Local knowledge, indigenous knowledge, and community-sourced data are just as valuable as academic research. Too often, there’s a colonial or outdated mindset that privileges certain kinds of knowledge. But why should something I collect be seen as better than what a local person gathers? It isn’t. All knowledge systems have value.
Saurabh Gupta: My thinking while developing the Earth5R data-driven model was similar. I’ve seen many product developers or engineers design services in labs—often in isolation—without knowing the people they’re designing for.
They don’t visit the communities or understand their needs. The result is solutions that are imposed rather than co-created, and they often miss the mark. That’s why having local labs and partners is so critical. It gives you access to more grounded and balanced information.
Ground-truthing research outputs with real community needs is essential. Researchers can still play a role by offering broader perspectives and bringing insights from elsewhere, but it has to be a collaboration. And many times, communities know more than we do.
I totally agree that communities often know more than we do about certain subjects. You’ve helped set up urban labs across Latin American cities. What challenges did you face when trying to implement sustainable solutions in these regions?
Dr. Simone Sandholz: These regions have distinct practices, ways of functioning, and government structures. There’s often a deeply rooted way of doing things. One of the biggest challenges I faced was building trust.
It might sound simple, but creating trust is at the heart of enabling lasting change. If we want to implement sustainable solutions in urban planning and governance, we need people to work together.
But why should they trust me—a researcher arriving with a project budget—and believe that I or my partners can help bring change? Trust isn’t automatic. It has to be earned, and that takes time. One major issue is that most project cycles don’t factor in time for trust-building.
They focus too quickly on technical solutions and tangible outputs. On paper, it often looks faster to bring in outside experts to implement a known solution. But real progress happens when we co-develop the solution.
For example, if we’re building an open space, it shouldn’t just be a playground. It could also be a disaster response gathering point, a shaded green space, or a social hub. Deciding that together creates shared ownership. But again, that depends on inclusive decision-making processes.
Saurabh Gupta: So how do you build trust? By being open, by being transparent, and by asking what the community really needs—instead of assuming you already know. That’s the essence of co-development.
You’ve used filmmaking, photography, and urban labs to communicate your message. It seems like a very deliberate system. What led you to use these out-of-the-box methods, and how do you think they changed public engagement around sustainability?
Dr. Simone Sandholz: Again, it comes back to co-development. The urban lab process is essentially a structured approach to shared decision-making.
If we believe in implementing the global frameworks we’ve talked about—on climate, biodiversity, and resilience—then we must create ways for local people to have a real say. Urban labs formalize that idea.
They bring together community voices, researchers, government actors, and others. Countries like Brazil have already pioneered this with participatory budgeting. Citizens get to vote on how public funds are spent, which creates stronger buy-in and more relevant projects.
But we’re not there yet everywhere. Urban labs also integrate the creative arts. Tools like film and photography can humanize complex issues. They help people tell their own stories and connect emotionally. That changes how sustainability is seen—not as an abstract agenda, but as something personal and urgent.
Advice to the Future Generation
Saurabh Gupta: Simon, you’ve also built partnerships with major institutions like the Paris Committee on Capacity-Building under UNFCCC and the Global Innovation Hub. Could you share a bit more about how you were able to foster partnerships with diverse organizations, especially large international ones, which can often seem intimidating?
Dr. Simone Sandholz: But one key takeaway is that it’s much more hands-on and approachable than it sounds. Many of these institutions are quite open and accessible. For example, the Paris Committee on Capacity-Building (PCCB), which operates under the UN Climate Action framework, offers regular training sessions, podcasts, and webinars.
These are open to the public, and anyone interested can participate, learn, and engage. We’ve been partnering with them for several years, including at major events like the UN Climate Conference (COP), where we contributed through photo exhibitions that bring local realities to global decision-makers.
These exhibitions serve as visual reminders of what’s happening on the ground and what still needs to be done. Just last week, I attended a workshop hosted by PCCB, TED, and U.S. universities that brought together young leaders from different backgrounds.
Some were even teenagers who were already implementing powerful local initiatives. It shows that real impact is possible, even at a young age, and across different fields. When it comes to lessons learned from these experiences, I’d highlight two key points.
First, everyone has their own way of contributing to sustainability. I contribute as a researcher and someone who tries to bridge policy and practice. Others may contribute through community leadership, local governance, or business innovation.
All approaches matter. Second, we need everyone involved. Collaboration across disciplines, professions, and borders is crucial. When I studied architecture, there was a kind of rivalry between architects and civil engineers.
But in reality, only by working together can you build something that stands. The same applies to sustainability—it requires interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Now, for our audience of college students and professionals looking to pivot into sustainability—especially at the intersection of research, policy, and creative communication—what advice can I offer?
Don’t be overwhelmed by how broad this field might seem. Start somewhere. Begin with what you know or are passionate about. My journey began in architecture and evolved over time as I followed opportunities and built new skills.
Be open to that kind of continuous growth. Say yes to unexpected chances and take initiative when opportunities appear. Dare to be bold and trust yourself to deliver.
That can be difficult, especially for women who may not have been raised to speak their minds or take space confidently. But often, you’re more capable than you think. Of course, challenges will come, but they often make you stronger.
Finding mentors is definitely helpful, but it doesn’t always have to be an older professor or a senior expert. Sometimes, peers or younger people working together can have just as much impact.
With digital tools today, you can easily connect with people from other countries and collaborate globally. There are also plenty of international organizations, youth networks, and interest-based communities that offer great opportunities for mentorship and learning.
Online trainings are another powerful tool. With so many accessible resources, it’s easier than ever to build skills and gain exposure. When it comes to learning quickly and being impactful, one of the key things is not to reinvent the wheel.
Use what’s already out there. It’s a core research mindset—before starting anything new, look into what has already been done. With access to global databases and the internet, it’s much easier to identify what has worked and what hasn’t.
If you’re planning to solve a problem like improving local waste systems or writing a research thesis, look at past examples. Ask someone a few years ahead of you how they approached it. Even learning how not to do something can be valuable.
At the same time, it’s okay to make mistakes. Sometimes failure teaches you more than success. Many of us have faced setbacks that shaped our careers. In fact, we should normalize talking about failures more openly.
People only see the polished versions of our achievements, but the real journey includes plenty of detours and lucky breaks. As for a personal example—I’ve definitely had some failures. I once missed a proposal deadline we had been working on for months.
Everything was ready, but just before midnight, the internet failed. It was a disaster, and we missed the submission. It taught me the importance of not leaving critical things for the last moment and having backup plans.
A second after midnight, the proposal still wasn’t uploaded. I thought, “Do I even dare to tell my professor the next day?” Luckily, my colleague and I had already started the submission process.
We called the agency the next morning, and they saw our attempt and let us submit it. That could have gone badly. It taught me a key lesson—always leave a buffer before a deadline. My own learning has been to always have at least three backups. Be triple sure.
When your reputation is on the line, whatever can go wrong, usually will. When it comes to climate leadership, some of the most important qualities are perseverance and frustration tolerance. This work is long-term. It’s not about instant results.
That can be difficult because humans are wired to notice immediate changes more easily than slow, long-term ones. For example, countries often react faster to disasters like floods or earthquakes than to climate problems that develop over decades.
That can be frustrating, especially for young activists who want real change now. So it’s crucial to build the emotional strength to keep going. Another vital quality is the ability to network and collaborate. You don’t always need to agree with everyone on every detail.
What matters is finding common ground in your long-term goals. That ability to compromise while maintaining a shared vision is essential for coalition building. For those inspired by the journey of combining research with creative climate action, there are many resources out there.
Start by listening to more podcasts like this one. It’s a great way to learn from real stories and varied perspectives. We’ve also created films under our project that might help. One of them features Jabra Roberts, a leading South African policymaker and researcher.
She talks about being a “boundary person”—someone who connects research with policy-making. The UNFCCC’s Climate Champions initiative is another great place to explore.
It showcases people working globally in this space and shares their stories to inspire others. As for books, I won’t recommend just one. I enjoy mixing factual books and research with novels—even crime fiction—that creatively integrate climate themes.
There’s been a rise in fiction that explores climate issues in compelling ways, making it accessible to wider audiences. Sometimes, stories are just as powerful as science in driving change.
There are all the usual suspects when it comes to climate books. But one that recently inspired me—though I should have looked up the exact title—was about how to foster climate action. The author argued that humans respond better to stories than to facts.
He explained that one challenge in climate engagement is the way we tell the story. Instead of focusing only on the humans who save the planet as the heroes, he suggested making climate action itself the hero. That shift in narrative inspired me deeply.
It shows that we all become small heroes by contributing to something much larger than ourselves.
Saurabh Gupta: Simon, it was truly amazing talking to you. We gained some deep insights into your work, the United Nations University, and your approach to climate leadership. Personally, I also learned a lot.
One of the reasons I do this podcast is to grow and help my team learn as well. Thank you for sharing so many valuable details—about systems, global projects, and the skills needed to work in such diverse contexts.
We look forward to staying in touch, whether through future podcasts, working groups, or collaborative initiatives.
Dr. Simone Sandholz: It’s been a huge pleasure. Thanks again for having me.
Saurabh Gupta: Thank you!
Learn more about the Future of Cities with Dr. Simone Sandholz and Saurabh Gupta – Find out here!
~Reported by Ameya Satam
