Cities are growing faster than the economy in many countries, which often results in large slums at the outskirts of cities because the authorities cannot meet economic and social needs, faced with accelerated urban development. It is estimated that 900…
Trapped between hills and the ocean, the compact city of Hong Kong is facing a concerning waste issue. Its 7.4 million inhabitants produce about 15,000 tons of trash every day, and the city hasn’t yet set up any recycling plan. The only existing option is…
Among other natural elements, water surely is one of the most appreciated in cities – or even a symbol, as the famous “Jet d’Eau” (water-jet) in Geneva. The activity of swimming in urban waterways was something common in the early decades of the 20th…
The United States suffer from a car-oriented design of their cities, which are not really adapted for bikes and pedestrians. The California State, widely known for its automobile culture and its massive road networks, is now at a turning point. A recent…
Fishing for clouds sound like a fantasy coming straight out of J. M. Barrie’s imagination. Still, it really exists and it is a revolution for water-stressed countries. The concept: CloudFisher is a fog collector developed by the NGO Dar Si Hmad. Imagined…
Since May 2016, Uber launched “uberGREEN” in Paris, enabling its users to choose hybrid or electric vehicles for their journeys. One year later, about 1,500 “green” vehicles are available, with 55,000 active users. The French mobility research-oriented…
And most of all, it will be (very) expensive. This is the main highlight of the study published in the Nature Climate Change research journal. Francisco Estrada, climate scientist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and study’s lead author,…
Yes, advertising campaigns can also clean the atmosphere. This is the last challenge accepted by The Body Shop, who unveiled a series of smart billboards able to remove pollutants from the air. The OOH ads were installed in London, where levels of air…
First of all, you may ask: but what is a green bond exactly? A green bond is the same as a traditional bond in terms of deal structure. The difference is that the money raised by the issuer are earmarked towards financing eco-friendly projects. Why is it…
You’ve probably heard a lot about urban farming lately, from aquaponic installations to ambitious urban farming projects. But “micro-farms” seem to be the next step in the story of urban farming. The California-based company CityBlooms just developed…
After the creation of dedicated accelerators for tourism, logistics and mobility start-ups, Paris pursues its ambitious program for innovation with FAIRE, a whole new incubator dedicated to innovative urban projects. Created in January 2017, the structure…
With the Notre Dame cathedral, the Ile de la Cité is a must-see destination mentioned in every Paris tour guide. If the island is visited by millions of tourists every year, Parisians generally avoid the place. Its limited access and the massive…
Are Chinese cities converting to a more bike-oriented design? The city of Xiamen gives an impressive demonstration of its involvement for a more bike-friendly city with the opening of China's first aerial bike path. This five miles-long bike lane offers a…
Compared to some countries still struggling to launch sustainable energy policies, Costa Rica is a pioneer in terms of green energy. The country ran the greatest part of the year on renewable energy, i.e. 250 days in 2016.The country used a mix of clean…
Nothing seems to stop Anne Hidalgo in her resolution to reduce car traffic in Paris. After banning cars from a large section of the River Seine’s quayside last September, the Paris mayor is determined to pursue the pedestrianization of central Paris with…
By 2050, the vast majority of humanity will live in cities. Our urban world will have to face many challenges, and among them is the air quality. Air pollution already causes 3.2 million deaths per year, and things could get worse in a few decades: a…
As it becomes more and more difficult to find an affordable place to live in big cities, two German architects have developed a smart housing solution: tiny houses located on unused rooftops.By the end of 2016, Berlin's rooftops will be the first to greet…
And it is a global trend. In his speech, the director of LSE Cities Ricky Burdett reminds us of the preoccupying situation of urban growth. By 2050, an expected 2.5 billion people around the world will be moving into cities, climate change refugees not…
Urban farming and community gardens are now flourishing in the bankrupt city of Detroit: some 1,400 green spaces of this kind are spread across the city’s 139 square miles. They could be a good alternative too for the thousands of abandoned houses…
A great example of sustainable urban projects is to be built in Heidelberg, Germany. The Heidelberg Village in Bahnstadt District is a 162 unit-apartments complex that will be the largest passive house development in the world.Twice the size of the…