Lecture by Viktor Sebestyén PhD, Sen. Research Fellow, Sustainability Solutions Research Lab, University of Pannonia (Veszprém, Hungary)

Date: 28th of October (Wednesday), 2026, 10:00 a.m.

Place: Bibó Room (Europe House)

Title of the seminar: Identifying the Path Toward Urban Resilience: Data, Methods, and Opportunities

Abstract:  In an era of polycrises, the concept of “robustness”- rather than mere “resilience” – better characterizes the state that must be cultivated if we are to treat sustainability not as an empty buzzword, but as a meaningful, viable future alternative. This presentation explores how the toolkit of data science and systems science can provide direction to cities striving for progress amidst today’s aimless drift. We will outline tools capable of supporting decision-making in areas such as climate change, urban well-being, and pandemic management. A key focus is the integration of knowledge and the development of multi-perspective approaches to the future; to this end, we will present several existing, innovative algorithms to spark discussion within the scientific community. Drawing on findings developed – at least in part -independently, the speaker will demonstrate how to tackle the analytical complexity that can only be addressed by a diverse community of researchers with varied backgrounds and experiences. I cordially invite everyone interested in decision-support sustainability solutions rooted in data-driven approaches to attend.