Five examples of how robots are already changing security in cities
Author | Elvira Esparza The use of robots to boost security in cities has gone from science fiction to the real world. Police departments in some cities have robots to boost their surveillance tasks and to serve as a backup for other functions. There are robots that can conduct controls, detect threats and robots used […]
San Francisco was built on a landfill, and now it is paying the price
Author | Elvira Esparza San Francisco is famous for its steep streets, its bay and the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Its geographic location has been a determining factor in its design, because, apart from the danger of earthquakes, given its proximity to the San Andreas fault, large parts of the city are built on unstable […]
How many electric vehicle charging standards exist and how is it affecting the adoption of zero-emission mobility?
Author | Raquel C. Pico Electric vehicles are one of the fundamental components of the journey towards the energy transition. The pressure as a result of the climate emergency is forcing us to reduce —or, ultimately, abandon— fossil fuels. This has led to a rise in alternative transport formulas based on clean energy sources or […]
AI urbanism: risks and benefits of a seemingly unstoppable movement
Author | Lucía Burbano Although it is invisible to the human eye, artificial intelligence is everywhere, particularly in cities. And we are all helping, consciously or not, to improve its learning, since we generate data when we walk, when we use public transport or when we access public facilities and other public spaces. The potential […]
Nine interesting facts about the Las Vegas Sphere (and what they tell us about the architecture of tomorrow)
Autor | Lucía Burbano It had to be in Las Vegas, an architecturally heterodox and strident city, clearly aimed at the entertainment sector, where a pioneering project like Sphere would be launched. The largest LED screen with the highest resolution in the world is the new attraction of the Mecca of the casinos, which is […]
What is digital sustainability and how does it affect cities?
Author | Raquel C. Pico Digitalization has become the cornerstone for the major transformations of the 21st century. Technology allows important advancements and its high transformative power provides major benefits, also for cities. But this revolution is not without risks and potential negative impacts, particularly on people and the environment. Therefore, achieving digital sustainability is […]
Four common mistakes made in public parks and garden planning
Author | Elvira Esparza For many people living in cities, public parks and gardens are the only contact they have with nature. It is good to be close to them for the benefits they provide: they are spaces for fun and recreation, they foster socialization, they reduce air pollution, they improve climate conditions within cities […]
The United States plans to include breathalyzers in cars
Author | Elvira Esparza The United States National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a process to standardize a safety system in new cars that prevents drivers from driving under the influence of alcohol. The aim is to reduce the number of traffic accidents caused by drunk driving. How can breathalyzers be integrated […]
South Korea is studying marine carbon capture: What is this technology and what are its applications?
Author | Elvira Esparza The Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) has presented a project to explore potential offshore CO2 storage sites. With this initiative, the Korean government plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.8 million tons by 2030. The aim is to explore the seas surrounding the Korean peninsula to assess the CO2 storage […]
Cities that are preparing their infrastructures to adapt to climate change
Author | M. Martínez Euklidiadas Adapting urban environments to the climate crisis is becoming increasingly urgent with every passing decade, which is why associations such as C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability or World Mayors Council on Climate Change (WMCCC) are becoming more active. With longer periods of drought, more unpredictable and […]