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Katarína Svitková

Associate Research Fellow
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Katarína Svitková

Associate Research Fellow

Katarína Svitková, Ph.D. is an Associate Research Fellow at the Green Europe team of EUROPEUM, focusing on areas of cities, climate change, sustainability, and innovation. She earned a Ph.D. in International Relations at the Department of Security Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University, focusing on sustainability and resilience of cities. She led and participated in several international research projects. Her monograph titled Resilience and Urban Governance: Securing cities was published by Routledge (Taylor and Francis) in 2021. Katarina has worked as a program manager, research associate, university lecturer, and consultant in the public sector.

Prague Climate Academy

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1. 10. 2025
In 2023, the Green Europe Team of the Institute for European Policy EUROPEUM started a series of debates focused on communicating the topic of green transformation to the Czech public. The aim is to develop public debate and support journalists and civil society in informed discussions about climate change and climate policies. In its first year, the Prague Climate Academy focused on sustainability in transportation (decarbonizing road transport in connection with electromobility and the sustainability of transportation in Prague). In 2024, it continued with the topic of adapting cities to climate change and discussing the impacts of heatwaves on cities. The year 2025 brings the perspective of resilience, with a discussion of current trends in global temperature rise and extreme weather events, including their impacts on urban infrastructure and public health.

Green Broadcast

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31. 8. 2025
The project Green Broadcast was launched on 1 January 2025 and will be ongoing until 31 August 2025.

Respekt | Gardens on building facades, trees from Iran and the Caucasus. How to adapt Czech cities to heatwaves

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7. 7. 2025
By the end of the century, the average temperature in the Czech Republic is expected to rise by another roughly 2 to 5 degrees Celsius, and the number of heatwaves is set to increase several times over. Even today, heat claims the lives of around 250 Czechs each year on average. Solutions for making life in the heat more bearable are already known, it would simply take more decisive adoption of foreign practices. The situation was commented on by Katarína Svitková, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.

iRozhlas.cz | Czech cities have no strategy for heat waves: they are watering streets and installing drinking fountains, only Prague has a plan

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26. 6. 2025
When a heatwave hits the Spanish capital, every emergency service and public institution knows what to do. Cities that face heat waves every year follow action plans and open cooling shelters or assist vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. Czech cities lack similar strategies. Prague is the furthest along in planning. Katarína Svitková, research associate at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for iRozhlas.cz.

ANALYSIS | CITIES TAKING THE HEAT: Adaptation and heatwave preparedness in Europe

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4. 6. 2025
In the run-up to the summer of 2025, European cities are bracing for yet another season of record-breaking temperatures. Heatwaves pose a serious challenge for urban areas when it comes to infrastructure, economy, public health and ecosystems. Heat-related hazards now account for over 85% of climate-related fatalities across Europe. This paper explores the impacts of heatwaves upon cities and urban populations, introducing different types of adaptation strategies used in Europe and beyond. It also discusses useful measures of heatwave mitigation, including urban climate shelters, shading and water elements, and public communication.

Czech Radio | Trees vs. heat waves: how cities can use green infrastructure to combat climate change

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16. 12. 2024
Cities around the world are looking for ways to adapt to increasingly frequent and intense heat waves. One of the most effective strategies is the expansion of green infrastructure, which can significantly reduce temperatures and improve the quality of life for residents. Czech cities, including Prague, are already taking the first steps towards implementing these measures, although there are still many challenges to overcome. Katarína Svitková, Associate Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Czech radio.

Balkan Insight | City Heat: What Central European Capitls Are Doing To Keep Cool

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14. 8. 2024
With another heatwave expected this week following record temperatures in July, cities in Central Europe are belatedly taking action – but politics keeps getting in the way. Katarina Svitkova, an Associate Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute specializing on climate change, urbanism and sustainability, comments for Balkan Insight.

Deník.cz | Czech Republic can find inspiration in southern Europe in the fight heatwaves

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13. 7. 2024
Czech cities could take inspiration in combating high temperatures from cities in southern Europe, such as Barcelona, which has effective plans and is well-adapted to extreme heat. Barcelona boasts over two hundred climate shelters in publicly accessible institutions like museums, galleries, offices, and libraries, providing drinking water, air conditioning, and informational services. According to Katarína Svitková, an Associate Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, Czechia lacks action plans and responds to heat only at the last minute. Preparedness for tropical days is crucial for protecting the population, especially seniors and young children, for whom summer days are the most demanding.

ČTK | Czech cities are unprepared for heatwaves. They can find inspiration in Barcelona

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13. 7. 2024
Czech cities can draw inspiration from southern Europe in combating heat, such as Barcelona, which has effective plans and is better adapted to high temperatures. For instance, the city boasts over two hundred "climate shelters" in publicly accessible spaces like museums, galleries, offices, and libraries, providing drinking water, air conditioning, and informational services. However, the Czech Republic is unprepared for heatwaves. Associate Researcher Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute Katarína Svitková commented for the Czech News Agency.

WhatNews | Cities are expecting another heat wave this year. What is Prague doing to keep us from getting baked?

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20. 6. 2024
The average temperature in the Czech Republic has increased by 2.2 degrees Celsius since the 1960s. As a result of climate change, the country is suffering more frequent weather extremes: torrential rain, drought and heat. Heat waves are particularly severe in heat islands that form in cities. Prague wants to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, add greenery and water features. Will it be enough? Katarina Svitková, an Associate Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute gives examples to WHAT news on how Barcelona is adapting to the heat.

Blog | Prague passable - or clogged? The dilemma of sustainable transport in the city

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19. 12. 2023
Prague faces increasing dependence on intensive car traffic, leading to growing problems with traffic, parking and deteriorating quality of public space. The increased number of vehicles means not only pressure on safety and traffic fluidity, but also environmental risks associated with internal combustion engines. Despite growing public support for public transport and car traffic regulation, finding a compromise between individual convenience and urban sustainability remains a challenge.

EURACTIV: European cities face heatwaves. How are they combating it and what can the Czech Republic learn?

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14. 9. 2023
Cities in southern and western Europe are adapting to summer heatwaves. What measures are they taking to protect their citizens? In an article for EURACTIV, EUROPEUM Institute Associate Katarína Svitková describes the situation.
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