Category: Uncategorized
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Resilience in cities: Bouncing forward for a better future
In the ever-changing landscape of urban life, resilience has emerged as a cornerstone for how cities can navigate shocks and stresses, from devastating natural disasters to economic upheavals. Traditionally, the concept implied a return to the pre-crisis state – a straightforward bounce back to normalcy. Yet, a more progressive interpretation…
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From software to streets: How Residuality Theory enhances urban antifragility
Cities face unprecedented challenges from climate volatility, population growth, and economic shocks, demanding designs that not only withstand stress but thrive amid uncertainty. Residuality Theory, originally developed for software engineering, offers a framework for analysing complex systems through their residues – the surviving elements after exposure to stressors. By treating…
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Reflections on urban futures – insights from WTF4Cities podcast
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cities, at the What is The Future for Cities? (WTF4Cities) podcast, our friends and and collaborators offer a compelling platform for exploring the ideas, challenges, and innovations shaping urban life. Marking its fourth birthday with episodes 357 and 358, the podcast reflects on…
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Holistic approaches to urban resources: Shaping cities for humanity’s benefit
As urbanisation accelerates across the globe, cities are becoming the epicentres of human activity, innovation, and economic growth. By 2050, an estimated 68 per cent of the world’s population will reside in urban areas, up from 57 per cent today. This rapid shift, while offering immense opportunities, places unprecedented pressure…
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Mobility in cities – past, present, and future visions
Urban mobility is changing rapidly as cities worldwide manage growing populations, congestion, and the demand for efficient transport. By 2025, more than half the world’s population resides in cities, straining existing systems to evolve. This article examines the trends, technologies, and obstacles influencing how people will travel in urban environments…
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Planning for tomorrow: How strategic foresight shapes antifragile and resilient cities
The future of cities is a complex web of uncertainty, with rapid advancements like artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping urban life at an unprecedented pace. From autonomous vehicles streamlining transport to AI-driven waste management systems optimising resources, these trends offer immense potential but also pose significant challenges. The unpredictability of these…
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How superabundant energy will transform the future of cities and urban life
Superabundant energy refers to a future where energy is so plentiful and inexpensive that it becomes practically limitless for everyday use. This concept, often described as energy “too cheap to meter,” could emerge from breakthroughs in fusion power, advanced nuclear reactors, vast solar and wind deployments paired with efficient battery…
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Unlocking potential: Mid-sized cities in the next era of growth
As the world becomes more urbanised, cities are at the heart of how societies grow and change. While large cities like New York or Tokyo often grab the headlines for their size and influence, mid-sized cities are quietly emerging as key players in shaping the future. These cities, typically with…
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People-centric smart cities: How smart cities can be for people instead of technology showcase
Smart cities, as one could understand them, harness technology and data to enhance urban living, optimise resources, and improve infrastructure efficiency. However, another understanding can be that a truly effective smart city prioritises its residents, focusing on their needs, participation, and well-being. People-centric smart city approaches shift the emphasis from…
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Digital twins and sponge cities: A powerful duo for urban water challenges
Urban areas face growing threats from flooding, driven by climate shifts, rapid urbanisation, and the spread of hard surfaces that prevent water absorption. Recent events, such as severe floods in Europe and Asia, highlight the urgent need for smarter ways to manage water in cities. Sponge city designs, which draw…
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