ASEF Podcast (SLO): Matjaž Uršič [Episode #56]

In this episode of the ASEF Podcast, host Polona Zabret welcomes Prof. Dr. Matjaž Uršič, Professor and Research Counsellor at the University of Ljubljana, whose work focuses on sustainable development, the socio-cultural transformation of cities, and contemporary urban phenomena in the context of globalization.

This episode is part of the Sustainability – A Harmonized Trio series, which explores the three key pillars of sustainability. The discussion focuses on social sustainability, a dimension that often remains overshadowed by environmental and economic debates. Prof. Uršič explains why quality of life is one of the most important indicators of sustainability and why sustainability is not only an environmental issue, but also a question of how societies and spaces are organized.

The conversation explores cities as reflections of societal values, Slovenia’s relationship with sustainability, and the gap between how sustainable we perceive ourselves to be and our actual everyday practices. The guests also discuss car dependency, challenges related to public transportation, and the importance of involving residents in urban planning processes.

A significant part of the episode is dedicated to issues of social inequality, gentrification, and the growing homogenization of urban life, all of which influence the quality of urban spaces and people’s sense of belonging. Prof. Uršič emphasizes that sustainable development is not merely a technical or political challenge, but fundamentally a question of values and societal priorities.

In the final part of the episode, the discussion turns to quality of life in Slovenia and the advantages that are often taken for granted. The conversation offers a broader reflection on what it means to live well and how sustainability can contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous society.