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 momentum of smart cities in Latin America
This is a guest post by Lucía Bellocchio, founder and executive director of Trend Smart Cities. Lucía has extensive experience working on urban innovation, and has written in leading media outlets in South America like La Nación, El Observador, Clarín or TN. Over the past decade, Latin America has witnessed a remarkable advance in adopting innovative […]
The seven cities with the worst air quality in the world
Author | Lucía Burbano According to a recent report by the Swiss organization iQAir, only seven out of 137 countries studied meet the air quality limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Air pollution wreaks havoc around the world, with the exceptions of Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand. According to […]
Global birthrate decline: examining trends across Asia, Africa, and the USA
Autor | Elvira Esparza In 2050, more than three quarters of the countries will not have a sufficient fertility rate to cover the generational replacement of the population in the long term and there will be a greater division between rich and poor countries. While the population in richer regions will decline, it is expected […]
Could a super-fire lead to an urban catastrophe in Asia?
Author | Raquel C. Pico The number of forest fires is growing each year. This phenomenon is occurring worldwide and can have devastating consequences for both the planet and its inhabitants. Statistics indicate that wildfires are worsening: according to the World Resources Institute, twice as many trees are burning today compared to 20 years ago. […]
Practical approach for creating autism friendly urban environments
This is a guest post by Lucía Bellocchio, founder and executive director of Trend Smart Cities. Lucía has extensive experience working on urban innovation, and has written in leading media outlets in South America like La Nación, El Observador, Clarín or TN. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally, 1 in every 100 children has […]
Neft Daşları, the story of a unique oil settlement built on sunken boats
Author | Elvira Esparza Neft Daşları is a floating city built on the sea to meet the demands of the offshore oil industry. It is the world’s first marine oil platform, constructed on sunken boats. At its peak, it featured 2,000 oil wells and 300 kilometers of bridges and roads connecting the city’s various infrastructures. […]
How smartphones can help emergency services in an accident?
Author | Lucía Burbano When there is a traffic accident, a rapid response is crucial to prevent further issues. However, various circumstances may prevent drivers from contacting emergency services when they need them the most. In critical situations like these, the various technologies available on smartphones can be crucial in saving lives. Smartphones, essential allies […]
How leisure and sports are shaping urbanism: the case of Singapore
Author | Raquel C. Pico When envisioning what constitutes a smart city or the characteristics that will define the cities of the future, people often imagine highly technological environments reminiscent of futuristic films. Aspects such as sports, nature, and leisure do not typically occupy prominent positions in these utopian visions. However, these elements are fundamental […]