How Lancaster, California, is using AI tech to speed up permit approvals
Author | Raquel C. Pico Can artificial intelligence completely change the day-to-day life of cities? While the more recreational uses of AI—like editing a photo or answering everyday questions—are what tend to capture the general public’s attention, the potential of this tool goes far beyond that. In fact, this is exactly what is starting to […]
Ageing gracefully: rethinking urban mobility for an older Europe
Cities must reimagine urban mobility through a lens of accessibility to remain liveable, socially just, and sustainable as its populations increase in age.
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 […]
Energy from glass: the role of transparent photovoltaics in sustainable cities
Discover why transparent photovoltaics are a promising innovation in sustainable architecture —smart surfaces that turn sunlight into electricity.
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 […]
Nudging cities forward: The behavioural science shaping sustainable mobility
Explore what nudging is and why combining behavioural science with technology becomes a powerful tool in the transition toward more sustainable mobility.