Why we’ll live in a Smart City: infographic
Photo | Simon Zhu/Unsplash
Urban forests: these cities are naturalising their environment
Author | Marcos Martínez
In 2003, the city of Seoul rediscovered the Cheonggyecheon River. It had been almost entirely covered in asphalt in 1968, when various sections of an elevated motorway were built over it. The body of water demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing the urban temperature and combating the urban ...
Can an accessible city also be an economically viable city?
Author | Arantxa Herranz
In 1800, less than 10 per cent of the population lived in urban areas. This figure now stands at 54%. Neither the rhythm nor the volume of urban growth is the same everywhere. Understanding cities, rates of development, distribution and population density is important in terms of ...
Social score system: A tool to oppress or reward citizens?
Author |David Bravo
Some of the goals of smart cities include coordinated emergency management, traffic optimisation or creating infrastructures based on citizens’ needs. In short, for public entities to enhance social harmony through technology. An example of these policies is the social credit score system being implemented by the Chinese government.
The ...
The taxis of the future will fly
Author | Tania Alonso
Flying vehicles could be one of the main solutions for relieving traffic congestion in cities. And they are, therefore, a very important element to bear in mind when designing and planning cities.
Numerous aeronautical and automobile companies are testing flying vehicles. Most of these, with the aim of ...
Pablo Soto, regional representative of Transparency and Participation in Madrid: “Technology should be used to enhance institutions”
Author | Marcos Martínez
The urban government concept has changed in recent decades, and technology has played an important part in terms of connecting citizens with the different city councils. Today, cities around the world are promoting citizen participation and part of their budget is being managed based on policies put ...
Helsinki: opening new frontiers in digital tourism
Author | Patricia Liceras
Helsinki is making the most of its new title of European Capital of Smart Tourism, which it was awarded at the end of last year together with Lyon for its innovative approach to tourism, among others. The Finish capital is now focusing all its attention on attracting one ...
Paraisópolis, Brazil. A city of favelas aiming to be egalitarian, sustainable and accessible
Author | Arantxa Herranz
Although it is hard to measure or monitor the exact population living in shanty towns, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) calculates that approximately 11.4 million people (6% of the country’s population) live in one of the 6,329 favelas or slums, distributed across Brazil.
The state of ...
Cities and maternity: how new urban planning can help with pregnancy and breastfeeding practices
Author | Jaime Ramos
Birth rate is now a hot topic across the world. This is due to the declining rates in Western nations as well as the exponential population growth in the rest of the world. This particularly affects cities, which already hold 54% of the world’s population, a proportion ...
Co-living or shared houses: A smart solution for cities?
Author | Jaime Ramos
The global phenomenon of increased population density requires smart solutions, which only well-designed cities will be able to provide. In addition to this exponential population growth, is the challenge of large concentrations of inhabitants. One of the alternatives that has already emerged to increase the efficiency of ...