Mastering mobility: noise pollution
According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), one in five people living in the European Union are exposed to noise pollution and long-term noise levels that are considered harmful to their health. From sleep disturbances to cardiovascular issues, noise has also been shown to even have impacts on children’s ability to learn. These negative impacts affecting roughly 100 million residents are due to traffic noise. This translates to one million healthy years lost per year to illness, disability or early death due to road, rail and air transport-related noise.
Given that the European Environment Bureau lists noise pollution as one of the most significant threats to public health, after air pollution, there are numerous action plans in place. The reduction of noise is currently a key objective under the EU’s Zero Pollution Plan for 2050, which aims to reduce the share of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30% by 2030. And the Environmental Noise Directive is the main EU law focused on identifying and addressing noise pollution.
This is how electric vehicle charging points can be integrated into the urban architecture
Shrinking down charging points is a good way to save precious space on sidewalks, but we are still ways from finding a universal solution.
AI Approaches for City Management
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising how cities manage operations, optimise resources, and engage with residents. By embracing AI, municipalities can enhance transparency, foster collaboration, and drive innovation to address complex urban challenges. Across Europe, cities have adopted diverse strategies to integrate AI into their administrative structures, from prioritising trust and transparency to building collaborative ecosystems and pursuing centralised innovation. Here’s how leading cities are creating smarter, more adaptive urban systems.
What does it take to be the happiest city in the world?
A city’s happiness goes hand in hand, of course, with the happiness of its residents. But, what does it depend on? How can a city contribute to the wellbeing and satisfaction of the community that lives in it?
Will We Live Better?
Please note that this video is in Spanish and does not include subtitles. Barcelona Connection, Fira de Barcelona’s podcast, visited the 2024 Smart City Expo World Congress, the event that brings together thousands of people seeking solutions to the future challenges faced by cities. Throughout this videopodcast you’ll see and hear from experts answering […]
Mobility Insights: Asta Kazlauskienė on Lithuania’s Ecosystem
Transforming Cities: Jeff Merritt on the World Economic Forum’s Role in Urban and Smart City Innovation
The Future Depends Not on What we Dream But on What we Do Today
Melati will share a fresh perspective from the young changemakers who are already reshaping communities through their actions. They envision cities that aim at cleaner air, creating less plastic waste, greener streets and cities that embrace the circular economy. The change needed to make such cities possible starts with education, and Melati will share the inspiring story of how, at the age of 12, she started Bye Bye Plastic Bags at her home island, Bali. Years later, she started the social enterprise Mountain Mamas, creating bags from donated and pre-loved materials. More recently, she has kicked of an e-learning platform with educational program from youth for youth called Youthtopia. Melati is the living proof that true change begins when one turns their passion into their purpose, and ideas into action. As the cities of tomorrow demand the courage to act today, youth should be a crucial part of leading the way.
Autonomous Mobility in Europe Challenges, Innovations, and Regulation
Bridging Public and Private Takehiko Nagumo on Japan’s Evolving Smart Cities
