Sustainable Cities - Blog entries

Smart Aarhus - Danish Digital Democracy

Helena Klintstrom — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:30:35 +0000

Aarhus, Denmark, is one of the most recent municipalities attempting to create progress through inclusive technology-sharing. The project is called Smart Aarhus, as a reference to the Smart City concept.

Retrofitting the suburbs

Eva Kirstine Fabricius — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:33:10 +0000

Retrofitting describes the measures used in fitting new or updated parts to an old and outdated one, making the part last longer and more attractive. From being part of the industry expression the name ‘retrofitting‘ have developed into being a design phrase, and are used to describe sustainable re-designs projects from building and renovation projects to improve of water quality, energy saving projects and larger scale urban planning.

Mount Royal, Montreal - an indispensable green public space or a hole in the metropolis?

Helena Klintstrom — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:15:08 +0000

In the middle of Montreal, with dense rows of houses on all sides, rises one of the largest urban parks in the world, Park Mount Royal. The park is over 200 hectares and is a unique place that combines activities such as trekking and snowboarding with the protection of biodiversity. Real estate agents call it crazy, but the Montrealers have decided that the mountain should be protected from further urban development.

The 7th International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability

Eva Kirstine Fabricius — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:44:01 +0000

From the 7th to the 9th of May the ‘7th International Conference on Urban Regenerations and Sustainablility’ will be held in Ancona in Italy. At the conference issues like intelligent environments and emerging technologies, development, urban startegies, waste management, relevant case studies among others will be discussed. During the conference participants can present research and interact with experts from around the world and together evolving new ideas and innovative solutions.

The missing link in communication on sustainable cities

Signe Cecilie Jochumsen — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:01:09 +0000

For at least the past two decades scientists and experts have all pointed to the urgent need of changing the way our world functions and the way we, its users treat it. For the majority of the population, however, it does not seem to register the importance of this transition – of changing the way energy is produced, distributed or consumed. But, why this discord? This article aims at exploring, what I perceive, as a missing link in communication between the settled science, the media, and human behavior.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012

Eva Kirstine Fabricius — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:24:17 +0000

It has been an eventful year for Sustainable Cities™ with a lot of exciting challenges and international events. We are looking forward to enrich Sustainable Cities™ in the new year with new project, challenges, and alot of new sensationel and inspiring cases on our website.

Can Beijing regain its status as the world’s “bicycle kingdom”?

Joshua Joseph — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:27:59 +0000

Once known as the “bicycle kingdom”, Beijing now faces a sprawling, congested, and smog filled future, as bicycle use declines and car ownership drastically increases. Just decades ago, Beijing’s cycling rate surpassed an astounding 60%, yet today the number has fallen sharply to around 20%. Cars are replacing bicycles at an alarming speed, and 1,500 new automobiles are added to Beijing’s roads each day.

Nordic Energy Municipality Award Ceremony – 31st of October, 2011

Eva Kirstine Fabricius — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:57:22 +0000

The Nordic Energy Municipality project
The “Nordic Energy Municipality Project” puts focus on sustainable energy, green growth and the energy-related climate efforts in the Nordic countries. The project will particularly recognize those municipalities that are putting in a special effort to carry out pioneering energy projects. All Nordic municipalities were invited to participate in the Nordic Energy Municipality competition.

Urban China Initiative (UCI)

Eva Kirstine Fabricius — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 11:02:34 +0000

Since 1990 China’s cities have been growing by 380 million people, and it has been predicted that they will keep growing vigorously. Most of the cities are not planned to house this large amount of people and they still need to overcome the challenges and adjust. The main challenges are increasing pressure on social changes and resources. 400 out of 600 cities are today short of drinking water.

My North American perspective on cycling in the Netherlands

Joshua Joseph — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:24:57 +0000

When I decided to take a three day, 250 kilometer bicycle trip through the Netherlands, my high expectations were surpassed within an hour of my trip, which started and ended in Rotterdam with stops made in Delft, Den Haag (The Hague), Gouda, Schoonhoven, and Utrecht.