VORTRAG IN ENGLISCH Urban Greenlash: understanding the phenomenon and developing responses

Ambitious urban climate action across Europe is increasingly obstructed by a multi-dimensional socio-political backlash, manifesting in local disputes over mobility, energy, and densification projects. This “greenlash” is embedded within a broader political context of rising right-wing populism, rollback of national and EU climate commitments, and persistent socio-economic pressures. Cities such as Barcelona, London, and Dresden serve as empirical sites where these tensions materialise in planning conflicts and everyday political discourse.

The AESOP 2026 lecture in Dresden is an inward reflection on aspects of urban climate policy that make it susceptible to socio-political backlash and an outward reflection on how best to engage with urban greenlash to advance ambitious urban climate action.

Catarina Heeckt (LSE Cities) will give a keynote focusing on public acceptability of sustainable mobility amid post-growth urban development. Florian Wendler (BUND, Dresden) joins as a civil society panel member leading local environmental and climate initiatives. Dr. Wolfgang Deppe (City Counselor Dresden, the Greens) will share his views as the spokesperson for Environment, Climate and Energy. Neelakshi Joshi (IÖR) will moderate the session.

This event is hybrid. Link for online participation: https://www.youtube.com/live/3aBDUkhFiqY

Financed by:
Association of European Schools of Planning

Organised by: