How leisure and sports are shaping urbanism: the case of Singapore
Author | Raquel C. Pico When envisioning what constitutes a smart city or the characteristics that will define the cities of the future, people often imagine highly technological environments reminiscent of futuristic films. Aspects such as sports, nature, and leisure do not typically occupy prominent positions in these utopian visions. However, these elements are fundamental […]
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 […]
Open data: how can they improve citizen engagement and the economy?
Open data offer an opportunity to improve the efficiency, productivity and creativity of city councils and the companies that use them
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 […]
Brief history of artificial intelligence
Can a machine think? This simple question hides a major scientific, historical and philosophical journey. Giving an exact answer is not devoid of a defining utopian and transformative passage of the human being through the Universe.
Geothermal energy: a simple solution for making urban heat more sustainable
In the European Union, 40% of energy consumption come from basic services including heating, cooling and hot water in buildings
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 […]