Sustainable Urban Development
With cities expected to host about 70 percent of the world's population, sustainable urban development is key to making communities worldwide more resilient against the growing threat of climate change. Find out about the latest urban practices from across the world aiming to make our cities more sustainable and inclusive in these good-news stories from The Optimist Daily.
Glasgow to plant 10 saplings for every resident in reforestation project
A global pandemic has opened our eyes to the value of engaging with nature and having local green spaces. On top of the environmental benefits of soaking up CO2 emissions, having ample tree cover in urban spaces is connected to lower rates of obesity, asthma, and diabetes as well as improved mental Read More...
This futuristic bus shelter is designed to improve air quality in cities
Air pollution is one of the most pressing public health challenges facing urban areas today, so designing infrastructure that tackles this problem is key to ensuring a sustainable future for our cities. We’ve previously seen such innovations in the form of air-purifying advertising banners, and Read More...
Maldives is building a floating city to adapt to climate change
With more than 80 percent of the country’s land area lying less than one meter above sea level, Maldives is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The archipelago, hosting 25 low-lying atolls in the Indian Ocean, is also the lowest-lying nation in the world — which means that Read More...
Denver will be home to North America’s largest sewer heat-recovery project
Did you know that the hot water you send down the drain can be used to regulate the temperature of buildings? Called sewer heat recovery, the process essentially captures warm water from showers, washing machines, and dishwashing and stores it in a heat-consistent pit. This stored water is then Read More...
This car-free neighborhood encourages residents to walk and cycle more
A while back, we shared a story about how in addition to reducing air pollution and making streets safer, car-free zones can also help build more connected thriving communities. Well aware of the benefits of designing people- rather than car-friendly neighborhoods, a team of designers recently Read More...
Papilio is a self-powered street lamp designed to reduce light pollution
Human innovation has driven our civilizations forward, but oftentimes at the detriment of other species. For instance, conventional lights and street lamps allow people to work and navigate at night, but they can confuse nocturnal life and attract pollinators, killing them in the process. Tobias Read More...
This gifted dog is helping a Texas fire department by sniffing out arson
From preventing the spread of COVID-19 to helping turtle conservation and protecting wildlife, dogs continue to prove themselves as humans’ most devoted helpers. One of the latest cases that further adds evidence to this fact involves Sheldon, a dog that’s helping a fire department in Texas Read More...
How green facades can help cities mitigate the effects of climate change
According to C40 Cities, more than 970 cities worldwide are expected to experience average summertime temperature highs of 35˚C (95°F) this year. This trend, exacerbated by climate change, will negatively affect all aspects of day-to-day life including working, socializing, and traveling. Well Read More...
These floating, 3D printed office pods take remote work to the next level
As it looks like remote work is here to stay for many companies around the world, it’s likely that employees will seek to diversify the places they work from in order to prevent fatigue and blurring the work-life balance. Working in a vertical park may sound like an enticing solution, how about Read More...
Cob on Wood is a refuge center that empowers the unsheltered in Oakland
A charming refuge for the unsheltered in Oakland has taken form under a highway overpass in West Oakland thanks to a coalition of organizations and members of both the housed and unhoused community. The structures are made of “cob,” a mixture of organic materials including sand, subsoil, water, Read More...