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P
icture yourself exiting
the subway to find the
exact number of fold-
ing electric cars needed
by you and your fellow
commuters waiting to
take you to your next destinations. Or
picture a computer software program
which enables you to bring a shop’s
catalogue to life in your own living
room, or which directs you to the
nearest available taxi during a sudden
downpour of rain.
Far from being science fiction,
these are just a few of the techno-
logical innovations being developed
around the world in a bid to make
our cities smarter, more sustainable
places to live.
PRESSURES OF URBANIZATION
According to the United Nations, by
2030 five billion people will be living
in cities – up from 3.6 billion in 2010.
Cities currently cover 2 percent of the
surface of the planet, yet they already
host more than half of the world’s
population and account for 75 percent
of energy consumption and 80 percent
of manmade carbon dioxide emissions.
In the face of unprecedented levels
of urbanization, we have no option
but to make our cities smarter; if we
don’t, they will grind to a halt. And
with wireless communications, there’s
nowhere that can’t become a smart
city, provided the money and the will
are there.
➝
In Professor
Spiro Pollalis’
view, New York
City is America’s
most efficient
city due to its
density.
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