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 […]
Biomimicry: Engineering and technology inspired by Nature
Author | Elvira Esparza The maxim “nature is wise” serves as the foundation for biomimicry, a methodology, and perhaps a philosophy, applied to engineering, which draws inspiration from the environment to enhance human activities, aiming for greater efficiency, resilience, and sustainability, whether applied to transporting people and goods or the construction of buildings. What is […]
What is the blue economy and how it may save our oceans
Author | Elvira Esparza The concept actually stretches back to ancient times, but it has evolved significantly in the past decade. The blue economy now advocates for a sustainable economic model centered on oceans. The goal is to fully leverage marine resources, taking into account that seas and oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s […]
Pecan Street Project: How Austin, Texas, has adopted smart grids to create more efficient neighborhoods
Author | Raquel C. Pico What is the consistent electricity consumption of a community of residents? And an entire block? And a neighborhood? Every situation varies, but one way to explore this is by conducting an experiment where we walk through each room in our home, noting the number of devices that are consistently switched […]
Five urban trends shaping city design globally
Author | Lucía Burbano Smart cities are driven by a commitment to excellence; they aspire to greater sustainability, innovation, inclusiveness, and health, while fostering opportunities and nurturing improved communication with their residents. In order to achieve their goals, technology serves as a powerful ally, but so does human-centric management in issues such as effective governance […]
Why, two decades on, Singapore’s Intelligent Transport System is considered the best in the world
Author | Lucía Burbano When it comes to the development of smart cities, Singapore stands as a pioneering force across so many facets, warranting not just an article but an entire book. Focusing solely on its virtues and advancements in the realm of smart mobility and data management and analysis used to increase sustainability, reduce […]
Public toilets, technology and accessibility
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. When spring arrives, people flock to outdoor spaces seeking some time in the […]
How private companies are exerting a growing influence on urban planning processes
Author | Lucía Burbano The collaboration between the public and private sectors has facilitated the execution of highly innovative projects that might have otherwise struggled to materialize. The landscape of urban development partnerships is diverse, mirroring the growing trend among cities to entrust private entities with enhancing their quality. These companies need not always be […]
Why depopulation and birthrate decline are on the rise
Author | Raquel C. Pico The headline dominated media coverage in the early months of 2024: Spain’s 2023 birth count of 332,075 marked a historic low, echoing across front pages as the lowest figure since records commenced in 1941. The number of births was not a new revelation; for years, media outlets have been drawing […]