Vertical cities will define our urban future. But the success of this model is dependent on the city's ability to leave enough open green space, which is why Tokyo and Shanghai aren't good models here, says economist Barbara Byrne Denham.
We need green It seems the idea of people needing green space isn't given a lot of credibility in some quarters. But the reality is that people need green parks, trees, etc. Living without them impoverishes the spirit and the overall health of the community.
When I drove through a portion of the Bronx a few years ago, I was appalled at how treeless the landscape was, virtually nothing but buildings. It looked awful and I'm sure it's not that great to live in.
Lessons Learned I'm glad to see serious thought is being put into ensuring these buildings are working with, (and in some cases enhancing), their environment, not overwhelming or poisoning it. It's taken some hard lessons, but municipalities have finally come to the realization, after years of uncontrolled growth in cities such as Tokyo and Shanghai, they simply can't keep adding buildings without considering the effects these additional buildings and people will have on the surrounding area, (green space, water and energy resources, transportation infrastructure, public transit, air quality, housing, schools, law enforcement, emergency services, job opportunities, etc.). The total system is finally being taken into consideration.
Building around Key Qualities I think we are finally understanding that we can't be in the mode of, "Build it, and they will come," but that, "your needs are important - and we can build them into it."
Smart City Money Makers companies and solutions that are most prominent, and destined to be most profitable, in the smart city revolution.
How to Make Your City Smarter Cities all over the world need to become smarter and more sustainable. But where to start? Download this guide to learn the first, proven steps toward making your city smarter.
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webinars
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3/19/2013 From Smart Building to Smart City In this Webinar, speakers from the industry and from IBM will explain how smart buildings become smart cities. Attendees will learn the basic characteristics and functions of smart buildings; how these facilities are interconnected; what kinds of urban systems can be included in such a network; and how the cloud model can create a smart, sustainable, and self-regulating city from the foundation of smart buildings.
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