Is it possible to create quieter trams?
Author | Lucía Burbano Despite being one of the most sustainable forms of transport, trams produce a bothersome squeaking noise when their metal wheels come into contact with the rails. This issue is significant enough to warrant serious consideration in urban planning. Although trams are eco-friendly in terms of emissions, they can be quite noisy. […]
Singapore’s secrets: The world’s only urban blue zone
Author | Raquel C. Pico One of humanity’s greatest achievements is the pursuit of longevity. Life expectancy has steadily increased due to advancements in healthcare, improved hygiene practices, and better nutrition. In the past, reaching one hundred years of age was a rare achievement attained by only a select few. Today, it is not as […]
What are V2H vehicles with bidirectional charging, and why are they critical for improving the resilience of cities?
Author | Elvira Esparza Although still relatively scarce, V2H vehicles are becoming increasingly common in cities and on roads; these electric vehicles feature bidirectional charging, allowing them to transfer the energy stored in their batteries to a household. This energy can be used as a backup during power outages in homes or to disconnect from […]
E bike fires are on the rise, sparking a need for improved consumer education
Author | Elvira Esparza In 2023, electric bikes were responsible for 268 fires in New York City, resulting in the deaths of 18 people since 2021. This statistic is just one indication of the danger posed by electric bikes catching fire. More specifically, this statistic highlights the dangers associated with the lithium-ion batteries that power […]
Why England, despite its climate, is at risk of running out of water
Author | Elvira Esparza Despite recording the rainiest 18 months on record, England is facing a drought in the coming months. This is an unusual water volatility situation, characterized by alternating periods of drought and flooding. The problem for cities in the country is that rainwater is not stored appropriately. Consequently, the Environment Agency predicts […]
The role of innovative urban planning in preparing for post-disaster recovery
Author | Raquel C. Pico Over the past two centuries, cities have steadily grown in both population and economic influence, and this pattern is not going to stop in the 21st century. In fact, urban power is set to further solidify in the coming years. Based on estimates from UN-Habitat, by 2050, 68% of the […]
Cities that are generating more solar power globally
Author | Raquel C. Pico Renewable energies are a cornerstone in the journey towards city sustainability. Without transitioning to clean energy sources and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, achieving the established sustainability goals that are essential for addressing the challenges of the climate emergency will be impossible. It is within this context that the […]
UrbanTech: The ecosystem of tech solutions that makes smart cities possible
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 urban world is in a process of constant transformation and evolution; a […]
What is self-healing concrete and how does it promise to revolutionize the field of construction
Author | Elvira Esparza Concrete is the most commonly used construction material, yet it also ranks among the most environmentally taxing substances. Self-healing concrete based on bioconstruction techniques, enables the material to repair itself, thereby preventing cracks from compromising the structural integrity of buildings. According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the […]
How augmented reality can improve urban planning
Author | Raquel C. Pico For a long time, every adjustment and urban planning change in cities demanded a considerable amount of imagination. Those involved had to rely on a combination of mock-ups, technical drawings, and calculations to visualize potential interventions and assess their outcomes, although this approach was not always reliable. However, technology is […]