Oceanix in Busan, the world’s first prototype of a resilient and sustainable floating community
Author | Lucía Burbano The world’s rising sea levels have highlighted the urgent need for innovative urban models to address the vulnerabilities faced by 90% of megacities, according to UN Habitat. Climate change, driving rising sea levels that endanger coastal cities, could displace approximately 200 million people annually until 2050. In this scenario, the future […]
AI and small countries: How Rwanda and Singapore aim to achieve remarkable results despite their limited geographic size
Author | Raquel C. Pico Despite the numerous potential benefits of artificial intelligence, not all economies and market players are on equal footing in the race to harness its potential. The playing field is far from level: only a handful of countries, and within them a select group of companies, lead the development of AI, […]
Tallinn, Estonia, wants to replace landfilling with circular economy
Author | Elvira Esparza Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, beyond its historical charm, Tallinn is also deeply committed to environmental sustainability, a dedication that earned it the title of European Green Capital in 2023. Tallinn earned this recognition […]
How London’s electric buses are reducing the city’s carbon footprint
Author | Elvira Esparza London has the largest fleet of zero-emission buses in Europe, with over 1,300 electric buses forming part of its extensive fleet of 9,000 vehicles. The goal is for all buses in London to be zero-emission by 2030, requiring the replacement of an average of 1,000 conventional buses annually. Transport for London […]
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 […]
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 […]