How green urban planning can help protect the public from poor mental health
There is no single solution to the worldwide epidemic of poor mental health; addressing its root causes—like poverty-triggered stress and social isolation—and choosing effective treatment for sufferers remains paramount. One way to potentially partly buffer against the effects of poor mental Read More...
The case for banning SUVs from urban areas
After an SUV lost control and took the lives of 4 people in Berlin, the streets erupted with protesters who argued SUVs have no place in urban areas. And for good reason: SUVs are a paradox. While many people buy them to feel safer, they are statistically less safe than regular cars, both for Read More...
What do cities look like when they are built for people, not cars?
It turns out cities focused on people, rather than vehicles, are cleaner, quieter, have more public space, and even help you live longer. One city in Spain is showing the rest of the world how this might be done. Barcelona is revolutionizing city planning by taking areas equal to nine city Read More...
The urban planning of global cities is looking more futuristic than ever
Integrating state-of-the art technology into urban development, countries like Qatar, India, and Malaysia are building futuristic cities which look like they’re out of a science fiction movie. Technologies that once seemed impossible, like driverless cars and drone taxis, are now popping up in Read More...
Cities are growing smarter, greener, more human-friendly
Pollution, congestion, noise, unfriendly public space… is this what awaits humanity as 70% of the global population lives in cities by 2050? Most likely, the answer is no—judging by recent developments in various European cities and by the visionary work of urban planners, urban designers and Read More...
The City of Lights intends to become the 'World Capital of Cycling'
In the days following the second particle-pollution alert for the second consecutive year, Paris announced its Plan Vélo 2015-2020. The city is to invest 150 million euros to double bike lanes from 700 to 1,400 km, providing parking spaces for an extra 10,000 bikes, and even subsidizing the Read More...