Drones to the rescue: How these devices are easing the impact of hurricanes and other disasters
Author | Elvira Esparza The use of drones in disasters such as floods, fires, earthquakes, and hurricanes has enabled efficient mapping of damage, accelerated search operations, facilitated survivor rescues, and allowed for rapid assessment of infrastructure conditions. However, regulatory and capacity limitations pose challenges, preventing the full utilization of drones in disaster response efforts. Originally […]
Dubai’s innovative urban cooling technology: How district cooling works
Author | Lucía Burbano Beyond waste management or pedestrianizing streets, cities in extreme environments face the unique challenge of providing reliable heating or cooling for public and private buildings. This can be achieved through renewable energy sources or innovative methods like recycling waste. In cities like Stockholm or New York, strategies center on combating cold […]
A quick overview of the leading initiatives driving the deployment of robotaxis for the streets of tomorrow
Author | Lucía Burbano In 2019, Elon Musk confidently told investors, “I feel very confident predicting autonomous robotaxis for Tesla next year.” “They won’t be in all jurisdictions, because we won’t have regulatory approval everywhere, but I am confident we will have at least regulatory approval somewhere, literally next year,” he added. Six years later, […]
South Korea is studying marine carbon capture: What is this technology and what are its applications?
Authors | Elvira Esparza and Lucía Burbano South Korea has outfitted the 2,200 TEU vessel HMM Mongla, with advanced onboard carbon capture systems. This pioneering project is a collaboration among major industry players, including Samsung Heavy Industries, Hyundai Marine Solutions, Panasia, and Korea Register. With this initiative, the Korean government plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions […]
How traffic data can make cities safer and more efficient
Author | Elvira Esparza Cities are the center of human activity. The global population is concentrated in major urban centers and 7 in 10 people are expected to live in conurbations by 2050. These sprawling urban regions are evolving beyond the traditional notion of a single urban hub, transforming into vast networks of interconnected, urbanized […]
Urban data management: smart strategies for smart cities
Autor | Lucía Burbano The integration of digital technologies in smart cities presents a dual challenge: towns must tackle increasingly complex issues while simultaneously exploring innovative ways to leverage vast amounts of data to enhance urban management. In this context, numerous studies propose various architectures and models aimed at improving the planning and design of […]
Walkable cities: Promoting better health and essential for enhanced decision-making
Author | Raquel C. Pico One of Steve Jobs’ most effective tools was taking his employees for walks through the streets of Cupertino, the home of Apple’s headquarters, whenever he needed to have important conversations with them. While it may appear to be a revolutionary concept, Jobs is just one of the latest examples of […]
South Korea’s self-cleaning roads: a social media sensation
Occasionally, a photograph or video surfaces on social media showcasing an impressive automated system: a self-cleaning road equipped with strategically placed sprinklers. However, these fascinating roads serve a dual purpose. Moreover, they are not a recent innovation. In fact, these roads have been showcasing their potential for years. An inside look at South Korea’s self-cleaning […]
CopenPay: How Copenhagen wants to be greener with responsible tourism
Author |Raquel C. Pico Recent data from the World Economic Forum reveals that global tourism has returned to pre-pandemic mobility levels. This resurgence in travel aligns with a surge in visitors to certain cities, which are increasingly experiencing the effects of “touristification” — the negative consequences of mass tourism. The challenge for future travel lies […]
From promises to progress: these cities are achieving their climate goals
Author | Jaime Ramos Goals relating to environmental and climate emergencies have become a transversal priority at a global level. Although the degree of awareness is higher than ever, converting good intentions into actions is proving to be more complicated. At a local level, which cities offer good examples worth following? Cities can do a […]