AntifragiCity has officially launched! Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, this ambitious €4 million project is rethinking how cities respond to disruption — helping them move beyond resilience to become truly antifragile.
Cities today face a growing range of disruptions — from extreme weather and infrastructure failures to digital breakdowns. While most urban systems aim to resist shocks, AntifragiCity explores a different approach: enabling cities to adapt, transform, and improve when confronted with the unexpected.
For 36 months, 13 partners from across Europe will work together to develop and test tools, models, and strategies for more adaptive urban mobility. The goal? To create systems that don’t just bounce back from disruptions, but improve as a result of them.
The project will be piloted in four cities — Larissa (Greece), Odesa (Ukraine), Bratislava (Slovakia), and Thessaloniki (Greece) — allowing the team to experiment with antifragile mobility solutions in real-world conditions. These pilots will guide the development of more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable urban transport environments throughout Europe.
At the heart of AntifragiCity is the idea that traditional resilience strategies are no longer enough. As Yacine Rezgui, the project’s coordinator, explains:
“In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy crisis, and an ongoing war in Europe, cities are facing unprecedented challenges. AntifragiCity is about harnessing these disruptions as catalysts for positive change, building urban systems that adapt, learn, and emerge stronger. By integrating technology with local knowledge and citizen participation, we aim to pave the way to sustainable cities that are not only resilient but truly antifragile”.
Coordinated by Cardiff University, the project brings together a multidisciplinary team comprising municipalities, research institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and innovation labs. This consortium reflects a unique balance of academic excellence, practical urban expertise, and industry knowledge.
The official kick-off meeting took place on 14–15 May 2025 in Thessaloniki, hosted by Greek mobility company Rhoé.
Read AntifragiCity’s first press release
For press and collaboration enquiries, contact: antifragicity@australo.org