New York will have a vast island-laboratory to explore the effects of climate change
Author | Elvira Esparza Governors Island in New York is set to become a cutting-edge laboratory, where groundbreaking solutions for addressing climate change will undergo testing and implementation. This initiative will not only impact the city but also extend its influence globally. The Climate Solutions Challenge offers companies a platform to test these innovations, aiming […]
Could genetically modified species be the key to greener cities?
Author | Raquel C. Pico In contrast to organic agriculture, which emphasizes the exclusive use of natural resources, alternative methods of crop cultivation are emerging. Some involve the technological advancement of farming practices, while others use genetically modified organisms to enhance efficiency. Genetically modified organisms, commonly known as GMOs, originate from genetic engineering, a process […]
How the United States is preparing for the advent of zero-emission transportation
Author | Elvira Esparza The United States has devised a plan aimed at achieving zero-emission status for all new commercial vehicles sold by 2040, by establishing essential charging infrastructure along major freight transportation corridors. This pioneering initiative holds tremendous potential, particularly for a country where the majority of freight transportation, over 70% based on the […]
The Wave House: The world’s largest 3D printed building
Author | Lucía Burbano Contrary to being dismissed as a passing trend, the widespread emergence of 3D-printed building projects worldwide confirms that this technology is a real and forward-thinking pursuit. The Wave House stands as the latest example of this trend, representing a pioneering project within industrial construction. It joins a growing cohort of architectural […]
What are the imminent remote working trends that will affect cities?
Author | Raquel C. Pico The need for social distancing brought on by the pandemic catalyzed the remote working trend unlike any other phenomenon. Before the health crisis, not all workers, and certainly not all employers, were equipped to embrace remote work—a practice enabled by new technologies that allow work obligations to be fulfilled without […]
The paradox of the Three Gorges Dam: Green electricity with plenty of urban shadows
Author | Raquel C. Pico Recognized as one of the monumental engineering achievements of modern times, the Three Gorges Dam, in China, harnesses the immense power of the Yangtze River and its colossal scale is such, that it can be seen from space. The construction of the Three Gorges Dam was driven by practical utility […]
A journey through the history of London’s underground system, one of the world’s most influential works
Author | Elvira Esparza The London Underground is the oldest subway system in the world. In fact, when it first opened in 1863, it operated using steam trains and the tunnels were lit by gas lamps. Often referred to by locals simply as the Underground or the Tube, today it is an extensive network of […]
Ransomware is a growing threat in cities: How are they defending themselves?
Author | Raquel C. Pico In the list of cybersecurity threats, ransomware has emerged as one of the most rapidly expanding in recent years. New statistics indicate an annual increase of 42% in ransomware cases, elevating it to one of the foremost concerns for urban IT managers. In order to gain a complete understanding of […]
E-hailing is undergoing a transformation: What does the future hold for on-demand driving?
Author | Elvira Esparza The combination of smartphone connectivity and urban mobility challenges has facilitated the growth of e-hailing services in major cities worldwide. Companies like Uber have emerged as an alternative to private car ownership, contributing to enhanced urban mobility by incorporating not only vehicles but also scooters and bicycles into their services. Uber, […]
What are exurbs and how are they changing modern urbanism
Author | Raquel C. Pico The urban-rural dichotomy is one of the key points used when referring to how people live in the modern world. Cities and their metropolitan areas are great magnets and have gradually attracted —and they have been doing so for centuries— people living in the countryside. In this initial stage of […]