Can AI tools reduce infrastructure losses from disasters?
Author | Elvira Esparza Natural disasters have caused annual losses of around 170 billion euros worldwide over the past 15 years, according to a Deloitte report. These losses will rise to 400 billion by 2050 because climate change is driving an increase in such disasters. Additionally, these catastrophes are expected to occur more frequently in the coming years. […]
From waste to watts: how cities are turning trash into sustainable energy
Author | Elvira Esparza Converting urban and industrial waste into energy is how some countries tackle the massive amounts of trash piling up in landfills, as well as related issues like soil and groundwater contamination. Waste-to-energy (WTE) plants are locations where trash is turned into energy, reducing landfill waste while generating power. The key difference […]
What is a turbo roundabout?
Author | Lucía Burbano In their goal of improving traffic flow and safety, cities continue to seek and implement mobility solutions. One of the most distinctive is the turbo roundabout, developed in the Netherlands in the 1990s and now adopted by many other countries and cities for its positive impact on urban design. How is […]
Kansai airport is fighting to stay above the sea
Text | Raquel C. Pico Airports are one of the hot spots of urban mobility. Those in certain cities, in particular, are also at the center of rather surprising stories, shaped by topography, geography, or sometimes by risky construction decisions made at their inception. This is the case with Japan’s Kansai Airport, which was built […]
Decoding the smart economy: how digital infrastructure drives urban growth
Author | Lucía Burbano The digital economy, powered by smart technology, is at the heart of smart cities and already represents a significant part of the global GDP. In fact, the world’s largest urban areas already contribute a substantial 60% of global GDP, and as cities grow and become more prosperous, this figure will increase […]
How Tacoma uses AI-enabled truck-mounted smart cameras to improve recycling
Author | Elvira Esparza The city of Tacoma (Washington) has launched a pilot project using smart cameras installed on garbage trucks to reduce contamination in household recycling. The aim of this program is to help residents recycle more effectively and decrease the amount of waste placed in the wrong bins. According to Tacoma’s data, around […]
What is micro-living and why is it becoming increasingly common in big cities?
Author | Raquel C. Pico It is one of those topics that works really well on social media. It is also great material for reality shows, highly clickable news features, and interviews with people who have completely changed their lives. The main characters welcome us into tiny homes, converted vans, or micro apartments. They have […]
Regenerative design in urban development: beyond sustainability
Author | Elvira Esparza Regenerative design envisions cities that create lasting positive impacts by integrating sustainable solutions into urban development and actively involving citizens in the design process. It goes beyond sustainable design because it not only creates cities that minimize their impact and preserve the environment, but cities capable of giving back more than […]
New York is looking to the skies with its urban air taxi service
Although still in its early stages, air taxis are beginning to emerge as a proposal that could revolutionize mobility in hyper-dense cities like New York.
Mysuru, India, uses mass smart meters and IoT to improve urban hygiene
Mysuru, India, adopts smart meters, IoT sensors, and AI applications to boost sanitation solutions, using smart technology to enhance urban hygiene citywide.