Joint Workshop on Infrastructure and Energy Sustainability in a Changing Climate
The Joint Workshop on Infrastructure and Energy Sustainability in a Changing Climate, held on June 24–25, 2025, marked a further milestone in the collaboration between Columbia University’s School of Engineering, the Columbia Global Center in Athens, and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). This two-day event, hosted at NTUA's Main Campus, brought together leading faculty from both institutions, including several NTUA students and alumni, to engage in high-level discourse on critical global challenges related to sustainability, climate adaptation, energy systems, and infrastructure resilience.
The workshop fostered rich dialogue among over 60 in-person participants and reached a broader audience with over 700 viewers joining the live stream. The workshop commenced with opening remarks from Ioannis Chatzigeorgiou, Rector of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA); George Deodatis, Vice Dean for Research, School of Engineering and Applied Science; Santiago and Robertina Calatrava Family Professor of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics; Professor of Earth and Environmental Engineering; Nikolaos Lagaros, Vice Rector for Finance, Infrastructure, and Development at NTUA; Manos Varvarigos, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation at NTUA; and Stefanos Gandolfo, Director of the Columbia Global Center in Athens.
The Columbia delegation that participated in the Joint Workshop featured George Deodatis, Professor of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics; Ioannis Kymissis, Professor and Chair of Electrical Engineering; Adam Sobel, Professor of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics and of Earth and Environmental Sciences; Bianca Howard, Lecturer in Discipline in Earth and Environmental Engineering; and Andrew Smyth, Professor of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics.
Day 1: Addressing Climate Risk and Building Resilience
The workshop’s opening day focused on the pressing challenges of climate risk, infrastructure resilience, and adaptive strategies. Columbia University and NTUA Professors presented their latest work on natural hazard mitigation and climate risk assessment. Discussions highlighted the complexities of urban resilience and infrastructure evaluation, culminating in an exploration of climate adaptation approaches and strategic decision-making for urban planning.
Day 2: Pioneering Technological Solutions and Sustainable Innovations
The second day showcased groundbreaking technological advancements and sustainable innovations in artificial intelligence, urban mobility, and energy systems. Presenters demonstrated how digital tools and AI are driving sustainable development. The future of smart cities and urban transportation was examined through the lens of cutting-edge research, followed by a deep dive into sustainable infrastructure and energy transition strategies. The workshop concluded with an overview of novel building technologies and digital design methodologies aimed at enhancing environmental monitoring and mitigating risk.
A key outcome of the workshop was the identification of shared research priorities, establishing a strong foundation for impactful future collaborations between Columbia University and NTUA. The Columbia Global Center in Athens remains committed to fostering and supporting these collaborative efforts.
If you missed the live event or wish to revisit the insightful presentations, recordings of both days are available online:
- Day 1 – June 24: https://www.youtube.com/live/8x7EXe-z9OQ
- Day 2 – June 25: https://www.youtube.com/live/bZhJCrR7f3k