Seoul Digital Foundation: AI & Metaverses Brought the City to the Next Level
We’re seeing a rapidly evolving digital world, from the advent of metaverses to the developing capabilities of artificial intelligence. Harnessing the great potential of these new technological horizons will prove key to helping improve our cities. Someone with first-hand experience on this matter is Yo Sik Kang, President of the Seoul Digital Foundation, which has helped build the global competitiveness of the city Seoul through digital transformation.
How Can Cities Stay Resilient Against Health, Climate or Economic Risks?
There are always inevitable risks in any situation, the best course one can take is to improve your resiliency and preparedness. Cities must act similarly, facing down potential risks relating to health, climate, or the economy. To talk with us about how cities can stay resilient in the face of mounting risks, are two inimitable experts. Dr. Anniina Autero is a Senior Project Manager for the City of Tampere in Finland and got her PhD in Administrative and Social Sciences at the University of Tampere. Amaya Celaya is an Urban Climate Resilience Advisor for organizations such as the United Nations, the International Office for Migration, and the European Commission; she’s also a Visiting Lecturer for the NOHA International Association of Universities.
EIT Urban Mobility & OECD | The Consequences of the Urban Mobility Transition
The climate crisis and other current events have brought an emphasis and focus on energy supply and our use and distribution of it. At its center of energy use is urban mobility, making it a central cog in the energy transition in cities all around the world. To speak with us about the consequences of the urban mobility transition we have two brilliant minds. Mariana Mirabile is an Economist and Policy Analyst for OECD Environment. She holds a PhD in Development Economics from Sapienza University of Rome. Bernadette Bergsma is the Director of Communications and EU Affairs at EIT Urban Mobility. Dr. Mirabile, Ms. Bergsma, welcome. Let’s begin with you, Ms. Bergsma. How should policies on energy be shaped to ensure more sustainable urban mobility?
Pontus Westerberg, UN-Habitat: Internet Connectivity in a World with 3.7B People Still Offline
Nowadays it seems as if the internet and smart phones are everywhere. However, 3.7 billion people are still offline, according to UN studies, marking a stark digital divide. Internet connectivity is a boon that leads to greater productivity and innovation. To spread this opportunity to everyone in the world the UN created its flagship “People-centered Smart Cities” program in 2020. The program seeks to provide local governments with guidance for developing smart city strategies that are inclusive, sustainable, and aligned to the needs of residents. With us to talk though it is Pontus Westerberg, who is the Program Management Officer for Innovation and Technology at UN Habitat.
Equinsa Parking: The Future of Parking Is Already Here
Digitalization is transforming the parking sector and completely reshaping the experience of parking in a city. New digital payment methods including apps and QR codes are already being used and new innovations – including the integration of low emission zones and electric vehicle charging stations – will be key in future-proofing the smart cities of tomorrow. To discuss some of the emerging trends in the sector, we’re joined by Mr. Carlos Díaz, director of Strategy & Development at Equinsa Parking, the company with the highest level of digitalization in the sector.
Omniflow: How Can We Transform Streetlights Into Carbon Neutral, Connected Infrastructures?
City streetlights have proved to be incredibly useful tools for urbanites, providing safety in seeing surroundings, and boosting productivity by allowing transport to operate at night. We seem to be entering a new era in street lighting, however, as our typical lampposts begin to expand their capabilities. One of the companies leading the charge in this innovation boom is Omniflow, which has focused on transforming streetlights into carbon neutral and smart 5G infrastructures.
Eszter Dávida, Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Centre | Climate-Friendly Buildings through Smart Design
The way we design our cities and its buildings will prove crucial for meeting our decarbonization goals. Building more energy-efficient infrastructure and using smart design will help cities become more climate-friendly. To talk with us about the future of infrastructures and buildings we are joined by Eszter Dávida, Managing Director at ADI Studio, an architecture firm, and a Member of the Board of Directors for the Contemporary Architecture Center in Hungary.
Tatiana Gallego, Inter-American Development Bank: Adaptive Housing and Construction Decarbonization
In 2018, the buildings sector In Latin America accounted for 24% of final energy use and 21% of process-related carbon dioxide emissions. Construction is proving to be the key to many cities’ approaches to climate change, as its adaptation is the difference between a sustainable city and one that suffers the effects of climate change. To talk with us about how the construction section can pivot is none other than Tatiana Gallego Lizon, the Chief of the Housing and Urban Development Division in the Climate Change and Sustainability Department of the Inter-American Development Bank. She got her PhD in Environmental Engineering and Technology at the Imperial College in London.
Jeff Merritt, World Economic Forum | How Can Cities Improve Their Technological Governance?
The way cities implement new technology into their societies can prove to be the difference between increased productivity and stagnation. Now with Natalie, and ready to talk with us about how cities can improve their technological governance is Jeff Merritt, the Head of Urban Transformation and a Member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum. He previously worked in the Mayor’s Office of New York as a Senior Advisor and Director of Innovation.
A Few Valuable Lessons from Costa Rica’s Age-Friendly Cities
Cities can prove to be gateways to adventures and opportunities for many young people, such is the case for why young adults increasingly flock to cities from rural settings. However, in our rapidly changing world, where some regions are seeing a rapidly aging population, it’s important for cities to remain friendly and welcoming for people of all demographics, be they young or old. To talk with us about how cities can go about accommodating their elders are two brilliant speakers. Ana Lucía Ferrero Mata is the current Vice-Mayor for the Curridabat Municipality in Costa Rica, she’s also been a professor at Veritas University for the past 39 years. Andrea Teran is the Director of Programs for the Aging Population at the Yamuni Tabush Foundation; she’s also an Independent Fundraising Consultant, and Community Relations Consultant in Curridabat.