The Center's Conferences and Prominent Events

Round table and policy discussion on reducing food waste and circular economy in service organizations in the health sector, 17.4.2024


As part of the event, Dr. Orr Karassin presented the findings of the research conducted jointly with Dr. Tal Golan and Prof. Manoj Dora from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK and funded by the Wohl Clean Growth Alliance. The activity of the Ministry of Health on the subject was presented by Dr. Orit Afomedou Yona - Director of the Department of Nutrition in General Medicine and Health Insurance Funds. The research presented compares the existing policies in Israel and the United Kingdom to regulate the steps in the supply chain of food in hospitals and the way in which the existing policies affect the potential for promoting a circular economy and reducing food loss and waste.


For the contents of the event:

"Cities 2040 - Challenges in Sustainable Urbanism", 11.6.2023: A conference to mark the launch of the Environmental and Sustainability Research Center

The conference opened with opening remarks and acknowledgments that emphasized the importance of research in the fields of urbanism to achieve sustainable development goals, mitigating climate change and promoting environmental quality. Later, there were three fascinating sessions that discussed key challenges affecting the quality of urbanism in Israel, the increasing density, the need to build resilience to climate change and the attack on the independence of local government.

For the contents of the event:

    To download the invitation to the conference >>

    To watch the full recording of the conference >>


Seminar on "Global crisis and municipal solutions: Will cities save us from the climate crisis?", 6.11.2022



To review the contents of the conference:

    To download the invitation to the conference >>

    To watch the full recording of the conference >>

Workshop of researchers for urban renewal studies

Israel is facing a tremendous need to initiate urban renewal processes on an unprecedented scale. At least 500,000 housing units in Israel require renovation, and the war adds to the destruction of residential areas that require restoration.

  • Is the strategy of urban renewal in Israel currently based on the demolition of the existing and new construction correct and effective or is it justified to also allow the development of entire complexes and neighborhoods while restoring and densifying the existing - urban renewal without demolition?
  • How do you create a fair and just distribution of apartments in exchange for apartments in eviction and construction projects, to minimize the failure of urban renewal projects? Is it possible to develop an algorithm that will distribute exchange apartments in a way that minimizes jealousy?
  • How can we solve the problem of land depletion and overcrowding through underground construction? What uses is possible from a practical and economically efficient point of view to transfer to the subsoil during construction evacuation processes and the demolition of entire complexes?

These are just some of the questions faced by three research teams chosen by readers' votes of the Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research at the Open University. 

In the workshop held at the center's offices on June 4, 2024, we were pleased to host the research teams to present the first findings of their research in a collegial atmosphere. During the meeting, the researchers with backgrounds from a variety of disciplines gave their factual reference to the studies that were presented and there was a discussion about challenges and thoughts for the rest of the way to the end of the research period.

To review the contents of the center:

To View the Event Schedule >>


Workshop of researchers for urban resilience studies

In the workshop held at the center's offices on April 15, 2024, we were pleased to host the research teams on urban resilience to present the first findings of their research in a collegial atmosphere. During the meeting, the researchers with backgrounds from a variety of disciplines gave their factual reference to the studies that were presented and there was a discussion about challenges and thoughts for the rest of the way to the end of the research period.

To review the contents of the center:

 To View the Event Schedule >>





Forum with Environmental Leaders in Local Government (ELLG)

The Center carries out interdisciplinary and innovative research with the aim of providing applied solutions to Israel's urban sustainability challenges. As part of our efforts to formulate a research agenda based on applied needs, we regulary consult with decision makers in the local government and to the transfer and sharing of professional and research knowledge.

The forum is invites senior decision makers working in the environmental interfaces in the local government, for an in-depth discussion of strategic challenges common to local authorities, and to strengthen cooperation with academy.

As part of the forum meetings, lectures on environmental and sustainability issues relevant to local government are given by the center's researchers, and round tables and open discussions are held on the challenges facing local government.

To view the contents of the forum meetings:

      1st Forum Meeting - 23.4.2023

      2nd Forum Meeting - 5.9.2023 

Research Seminars

Regular seminars on urban sustainability issues are given by senior researchers from the Open University and other institutions. Seminars are held mostly in Hebrew, both in person and streamed online. 

You are invited view previous seminars, follow the center's upcoming seminars and register for future events.

Recent Seminars:

24.6.2024 | Democratization and community involvement in building a local agenda | Recorded

Dr. Higazy's lecture, on the occasion of the publication of his book: "Democratization and community involvement in building a local agenda"

5.8.2024 | Mapping and analyzing typologies for smart cities | Recorded

Hagar Srulovitch's lecture, on the topic "Mapping and analyzing typologies for smart cities"

14.4.2024 | The rise and fall of the environmental-decentralized concept in urban planning | Recorded

Prof. Tsfadia's lecture, on the topic "The rise and fall of the environmental-decentralized concept in urban planning"

25.3.2024 | Ontologies of pollution - cleaning processes of industrial waste areas in the center of the country | Recorded

Dr. Anzenberg's lecture, on the topic "Ontologies of pollution - cleaning processes of industrial waste areas in the center of the country"

15.2.2024 | Satisfaction with the place of residence: predictive factors and the importance of environmental aspects | Recorded

Dr. Orr Karassin and Dr. Shula Goulden's lecture, on the topic ""How well did you come home? Satisfaction with the place of residence: predictive factors and the importance of environmental aspects".

22.1.2024 | Walkable cities | Recorded

Dr. Yodan Rofe's lecture, on the topic "Walkable cities"

  4.12.2023 | Trust in the Planning Process | Recorded

Dr. Benny First's lecture, on the topic "Nobody is trusted: Is and how can public trust in the planning system be strengthened?"

6.11.2023 | Environmental Behaviors and Attitudes | Recorded

Dr. Shula Golden's lecture, on the topic "What should I do about the climate crisis? A multidisciplinary view of environmental behavior and attitudes"

8.5.2023 | Mathematical and Statistical Methodes in Environmental Studies

Prof. Ofer Levi's lecture, on the topic "Incorporation of advanced mathematical and statistical methods in studies in the field of environment and sustainability"