How can cities help create social and economic sustainability?
Feb 12, 2024
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Discussions include the need for sustainable cities to meet the needs of growing populations, the use of satellite data to measure environmental sustainability, the concept of smart cities, challenges and opportunities in Middle East urbanization, and the importance of justice, inclusion, and sustainability in smart cities.
Cities must balance economic growth and environmental sustainability to effectively address climate change and promote equity.
Smart cities and smart mobility, enabled by technology and data, can enhance transportation options and improve quality of life in urban areas.
Deep dives
The importance of focusing on cities for climate change and sustainability
Cities play a crucial role in the global economy, waste output, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. To effectively implement commitments for climate change and sustainability, solutions must be developed at the city level, considering both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Understanding smart cities and smart mobility
Smart cities are communities that utilize technology to deliver services for the benefit of residents and businesses. Smart mobility, enabled by technology and data, focuses on enhancing transportation within cities by integrating different modes of transport and providing choices based on intelligent data analysis.
Measuring sustainability with satellite data and addressing inequalities
Satellite data can measure environmental conditions, including pollution and carbon emissions, while also providing insights on equity in access to green spaces and sustainable transit. Some cities perform well on environmental indicators, but burden poor populations, while others perform below average and have high pollution levels. Achieving sustainability requires a combination of planning, policy, and technology to address climate change and promote equity.
In an increasingly urban world—in which 70% of the global population is predicted to reside in cities by 2050—thoughtful conversations about urban development are essential. How can cities transform to meet the needs of their ever-growing populations, without compromising the health of the planet or the well-being of their residents? In this episode, we’re joined by climatologist Angel Hsu, founder of the Data-Driven EnviroLab research group, to discuss its use of satellites as a way to measure how environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive our cities really are. We’ll also hear from Hazem Galal, Global Leader for Cities and Local Government with PwC Middle East, about smart cities and smart mobility, and what these concepts mean for the future of our urban areas.
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