Szeged

Located in southern Hungary near the borders with Serbia and Romania, Szeged is a regional university city built on the banks of the River Tisza. With a population of around 160,000, it is known for its research and education sectors, as well as its role as an economic and cultural centre for southeastern Hungary. Szeged has a continental climate, with hot summers, cold winters and increasing exposure to prolonged heatwaves and drought. Flooding also remains a long-standing concern because of the city’s river location and flat surrounding landscape.

Climate action in Szeged is strongly linked to the impacts of rising temperatures on urban life and public health. Heat stress, ageing infrastructure and energy use in buildings are becoming more pressing issues, particularly during increasingly intense summer periods. The city has responded by integrating climate goals into urban planning and resilience strategies, with an emphasis on practical local adaptation alongside emissions reduction.

Key priorities include improving energy efficiency in public and residential buildings, expanding sustainable mobility and increasing urban greenery to cool public spaces. Szeged is also working closely with universities and research institutions, using local expertise to support data-driven climate planning and citizen engagement. Its approach reflects the city’s role as both a knowledge centre and a place already experiencing the visible effects of climate change.

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