Are illuminated pedestrian crossings effective in preventing accidents?
Author | Raquel C. Pico Despite significant advancements in road safety in recent decades, there remain numerous areas that need attention and further improvement. Pedestrian safety is one such area, as many cities and roads still prioritize vehicular traffic over the safety and convenience of pedestrians. Improving sidewalks and creating safe spaces for pedestrians is […]
Designing for all: principles of universal access in public transportation
The concept of universal access refers to the design and operation of built environments, products, services and systems that can be used by all people, regardless of their abilities, age or other factors. The ultimate goal of universal access is to create inclusive spaces and experiences accessible to everyone, without necessitating additional adaptations or specialisations.
This is how emergency systems work in a smart city
Dispatch centers manage first responders, firefighters and police calls. Digital transformation aim to revolutionise that kind of collaboration.
Mastering mobility: low emissions zones
Many European cities face air quality problems related to road transport, with a staggering 94% of the urban population exposed to NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) pollution levels higher than the World Health Organisation’s guidelines. The European Environment Agency recently reported that exposure to fine particulate matter, from transport and other various sources, resulted in 307,000 premature deaths in the 27 EU Member States in 2019.
Tire dust: the great hidden pollutant in road traffic
Author | Raquel C. Pico Although we often view the environmental footprint of cars as a whole, their impact on the environment—and consequently on human health—is actually linked to various types of pollution. On the one hand, there are emissions from exhaust pipes. On the other hand, there are those not directly related to exhaust […]
La Rinconada, Peru: Living in the highest altitude city in the world
Author | Raquel C. Pico If you take a map of the world and look for the most populated areas with the highest concentration of cities, you will likely notice a pattern. Coastal regions and well-connected valleys tend to have the most towns and, generally, a higher population density. This makes sense, as these areas […]
Wood: A key material for the new generation of sustainable development
Author | Elvira Esparza Wood can replace other construction materials such as steel, concrete, and glass, and it is also a more sustainable option. Using wood in construction does not entail destroying forests; instead, it focuses on preserving existing forests and managing tree-rich regions with modern methods aimed at protecting biodiversity. The sustainable use of […]
How the city of Pontevedra became a pioneer in pedestrianizing its streets
Author | Lucía Burbano Nearly 25 years ago, Pontevedra sparked a revolution by removing cars and reclaiming its streets and squares for its residents. How? By placing people at the heart of its urban strategy, pedestrianizing the entire city center and significant portions of its inner ring road. Despite initial reservations in the Galician city, […]
Ellinikon, Greece’s futuristic smart city project in an abandoned airport
Author | Lucía Burbano Over the next decade, the former international airport of Ellinikon will be transformed into Greece’s first smart city, embracing the principles of sustainable and inclusive urbanism. Ellinikon, one of the largest urban regeneration projects in Europe, is dedicated to integrating advanced technology, environmental sustainability, and smart resource and population management. It […]
The Paris Olympics and the Urban Heat Island Effect
The Parisian Olympic Village was designed to be more sustainable than ever, but is it helping solve the Urban Heat Island effect?