Set against the backdrop of a continuing health crisis, governments and organisations are reinvigorating conversations about how smart city technologies can be leveraged to mitigate or avoid future disruptions. In particular, the focus is on how critical data can be …
Read More »Suburbs are becoming increasingly diverse – urban development and the pandemic will transform them further
Historically, suburbs have been considered as places which are less diverse than cities, particularly with regard to their racial and social class composition. This is a result of many social and economic drivers influencing the development of city regions. But …
Read More »We need more urban innovation projects like the ‘Google City’. This is why
Sidewalk Labs, owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, has pulled out of a new, large-scale urban development in Toronto; How we test digital innovation in a physical space is a huge challenge and attracts both critics and risks; Without lots …
Read More »Cities increase your risk of depression, anxiety and psychosis – but bring mental health benefits too
Over half of the world’s population – 4.2 billion people – live in cities. This number is expected to rise, with 68% of the global population estimated to live in urban areas by 2050. Among the world’s megacities – defined …
Read More »Quality healthcare in urban slums of Karachi
Pakistan and Gulf Economist approached the relevant authorities of SINA Health Education & Welfare Trust to get the first-hand knowledge about the healthcare facilities being provided by the trust. Following are the excerpts of the conversation: With majority of the people …
Read More »Urban greening can save species, cool warming cities, and make us happy
The current climate and ecological crisis demands a radical redesign of how we live and organise our societies. Yet these urgent changes, though complex, are far from impossible. Some of them are simple, beautiful, and beneficial to all. By greening …
Read More »Innovative urban financing can make our cities stronger
Cities are the defining form of human organization in the 21st century. In 1980, just 1.7 billion people lived in cities. By 2050, the world’s urban population will swell to 6.4 billion. By the end of this century, 80-90% of …
Read More »Urban farming inspiration
It was certainly a blessing to have ‘chai-paratha’, with family and friends, on a chilly but pleasant morning, around 60 kilometers away from home, at Gharo. It was later justified as veracious decision to leave my cozy bedroom or clannish …
Read More »Future of urbanization – developing new cities
Centuries back the location of towns and cities, at least superficially, seemed to be largely determined by the preferences of kings, princes, generals and other political and military leaders of society. Cities were never just parasitic; most have always added …
Read More »Smart city experts should be looking to emerging markets. Here’s why
From the crowded markets of Dakar and Karachi to the informal settlements of Addis Ababa and Rio de Janeiro, urban technology seems to be thriving everywhere. Whether used for hitching a ride and navigating grinding traffic or buying coffee and …
Read More »These are Asia’s most future-ready cities
The planet is urbanizing at an unprecedented speed, generating enormous social, economic and climatic stress. If sustainable urbanization is one of the paramount challenges of the 21st century, then Asia is ground zero for determining whether humanity can succeed. Just …
Read More »African cities will double in population by 2050. Here are 4 ways to make sure they thrive
Africans are moving to the city. Already home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, the continent is urbanizing more rapidly than any other part of the planet. Africa’s 1.1 billion citizens will likely double in number by 2050, and more than …
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