Sahar Sodoudi's seminar "Urbanization and the Urban Climate under Change" presented the relationship between urbanization and temperature change in (mega) cities and discussed the progress of the scientific project "Opportunities for and challenges to urban development and social cohesion in Russia’s Arctic under climate change impacts" (a project of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research).

As main reason for the emergence of "heat islands" in large cities, Sodoudi mentions a large number of concrete structures with a high heat capacity. Another reason is the lack of green areas. According to Sahar Sodoudi, the phenomenon of urban warming can also be observed in relatively "green" cities such as Berlin (44% of the area consists of green spaces). In order to improve urban planning, the scientists use modelling. The results of the simulation showed that a green area, consisting of many small parks, is the most suitable to reduce the urban heat island effect, improving the conditions for urban dwellers.

The seminar is a continuation of a series of scientific events, which are sponsored by the joint SPBU and FU Seed Money Fund. The idea was developed during a Senior Researcher Stay of Prof. Nikolai Bobylev in 2016 in the framework of the University Alliance for Sustainability. Staff, employees, PhD students and students were invited to attend the lecture, which was organised on 27 September in the Department of Ecological Safety & Sustainable Development of Regions, SPBU.