United States eyes drones as first responders in emergencies
Author | Lucía Burbano On June 6, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at boosting the country’s drone capabilities by accelerating their integration into the National Airspace System, supporting domestic manufacturing, and streamlining regulatory processes. One of the key measures included in the order is the Police Drone as First Responder (DFR) […]
AI as an Agent of Change: Reimagining Cities Through Mayor-Led Innovation
This is a guest post by George Burciaga, Managing Partner at The U.S. Mayoral Roundtable. He is a global leader in urban digital transformation, specializing in citizen engagement, infrastructure, and funding optimization. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a tool, it is an agent. A living force within the ecosystem of modern governance, AI […]
How AI can be harnessed to monitor vegetation loss and foster greener cities
Author | Raquel C. Pico The start of summer has brought record temperatures to Europe. Heat waves have swept through various countries on the continent, forcing residents to face extreme conditions. For those living in cities, parks and green spaces have become sought-after havens, a climate refuge to survive the harsh weather. But do cities […]
Berlin citizens propose the largest car-free area in the world
The world’s largest car-free zone is being planned for Berlin’s Ringbahn (Germany). Find out all the details of this environmental friendly project.
Argentina’s Smart Cities Charter Sparks Nationwide Movement for a Sustainable Urban Future
This is a guest post by Lucía Bellocchio, founder and executive director of Trend Smart Cities. Lucía has extensive experience working on urban innovation, and has written in leading media outlets in South America like La Nación, El Observador, Clarín or TN. Last month, Argentina made a significant stride forward in urban development by signing […]
Zurich stuns with its innovative bike tunnel
Author | Elvira Esparza Zurich has opened an urban tunnel to provide cyclists with safe passage and easy access to the city’s main train station. The goal of the project is to promote cycling as a primary mode of transportation over cars and to boost sustainable mobility. Zurich’s Stadttunnel, which runs beneath the Hauptbahnhof, is […]
Mastering mobility with child-friendly mobility planning
Coined in 2016 by researcher and professor Carlos Moreno, the ‘15-minute city’ concept gained popularity (and infamy) during the COVID-19 pandemic. As people around the world adapted to the necessity of working from home, awareness about the quality of residents’ immediate neighbourhoods came to the fore and debates about the development of liveable cities were robust.
Biochar and Concrete: The Next Revolution in Urban Construction?
Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Päivi Raivio, a Helsinki-based urban designer and placemaker recognized for her innovative work on people-centered public spaces. With a background in creative urban interventions and community engagement, Raivio’s projects demonstrate how thoughtful design can make cities more vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming for every season.
Turning trash into treasure: Inside Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum
Author | Raquel C. Pico For many people, everything they know about an informal settlement comes from popular culture, fiction, and media reports. They have never set foot in one, nor do they live near any, so their image of daily life in these places is shaped entirely by what others say about them. Dharavi, […]
Villa Savoye: Le Corbusier’s architectural icon that redefined the modern house
Author | Lucía Burbano Though it is nearing its 100th anniversary, Villa Savoye, the work of the renowned and revered Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier, remains a cornerstone of modern residential architecture. It perfectly embodies the Swiss architect’s vision, standing as a timeless example of how aesthetics and functionality can coexist. So much so […]