Dubai is on a mission to introduce over 100 flying cars by 2026

Author | Lucía Burbano Dubai is no stranger to breaking records, especially in architecture and urban planning. Now, the city is once again making global headlines with the announcement that, as early as this year, VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) vehicles will take to its skies. These flying vehicles are at the core of the […]
Internet of forests’ technology introduced to protect rainforests in Colombia

Author | Elvira Esparza Colombia has developed an innovative Internet of Forests (IoF) program to monitor and analyze the health of its tropical rainforest. By digitally connecting forests, the initiative aims to generate sustainable economic and social benefits for rural communities. Colombia ranks second in the world for biodiversity, home to over 50,000 species of […]
How generative AI is shaping today’s cities

Author | Elvira Esparza Generative artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role in the development of smart cities, offering innovative solutions across a wide range of sectors. Linker Vision, through its GenAI Observ platform, is leveraging Vision Language Models (VLMs) and Large-Scale Vision Models (LVMs) to develop cutting-edge applications. These technologies power AI-driven video analysis agents, […]
Drone in a box: a solution for emergency response

Author | Raquel C. Pico Since their emergence a few years ago, drones have demonstrated their potential in solving various challenges and enabling the development of innovative services. Although they initially sparked interest as novel or entertaining gadgets, it quickly became evident that drones could take on critical and essential roles. Emergency services are one […]
What is permeable paving?

Author | Lucía Burbano Water resources are becoming increasingly precious and scarce, necessitating the implementation of sustainable management solutions in urban areas. Permeable paving is gaining attention for its ability to harness rainwater, enabling cities to align sustainable practices with the natural water cycle and implement the sponge city concept. To underscore the urgency of […]
How Washington is testing low carbon district energy systems to improve its sustainability

Author | Lucía Burbano Heating and cooling systems in buildings in the United States make up approximately 43% of the nation’s total energy consumption. Fossil fuels used in these heating and cooling systems contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, increasing air pollution and accelerating the effects of climate change, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection […]
Smart hospitals: how they’re helping to make healthcare more efficient

Author | Raquel C. Pico Digitalization has become the defining revolution of the 21st century, so it comes as no surprise that the digital transition is impacting all sectors. No scenario is untouched by its potential benefits, and none escape the need to update methods, incorporate new tools, and rethink how things are done. For […]
UK cities are implementing advanced noise detection systems to enhance emergency response times and potentially save more lives

Author | Elvira Esparza Sound detectors trigger instant alerts upon identifying unusual acoustic signals, such as gunshots or cries for help. This enables emergency services to respond more rapidly while simultaneously enhancing public safety in smart cities and high-risk environments. Their use is being expanded in select cities to enhance public safety and security. These […]
Biofuel for the aeronautical industry: What are the pros, cons, and impact on cities?

Author | Lucía Burbano Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is widely regarded as the most realistic alternative for decarbonizing the aviation sector, which is responsible for 12% of CO2 emissions in transportation and 2% of global CO2 emissions. The construction of biofuel production plants is becoming increasingly common in the aeronautical sector, presenting both potential solutions […]
Empty offices are costing cities a fortune (and how some are fighting to change this disastrous situation)

Author | Elvira Esparza Mandatory remote working imposed by COVID in 2020 continues to leave a lasting impact on office spaces. Although in-person and hybrid working models have resumed, office occupancy levels remain significantly below those seen prior to the pandemic. Empty offices are projected to continue inflicting significant economic losses on cities. The solution […]