Overthinking human nature and its footmark from a distance
How the 15-minute city concept needs to make cities more liveable and inclusive under the pressure of urbanisation and its democratic legitimacy
… The rise of uncontrolled urbanisation is a threat to a sustainable, resilient, and equitable future for all, and thus a threat to the global economy on which eight billion lives depend. Can the 15-minute city concept be the answer to keeping cities liveable under further urbanisation and how inclusive and democratic is that approach?
2026-05-08
Can smart cities deliver on their promise to be more sustainable, resilient and
equitable than other cities?
Part VI: How seriously urban noise pollution has to be taken, and what smart solutions are available
… Noise pollution is considered one of the greatest environmental risks to physical and mental health and well-being. The European Environmental Agency (EEA) determines noise pollution to be the second most harmful threat to public health, after air pollution.hat starts with a well-intentioned idea, can quickly turn us into monsters that even can unleash a world war. How can it come that far?…
2026-05-01
Can smart cities deliver on their promise to be more sustainable, resilient and
equitable than other cities? Part V: Is there a global waste crisis and can smart technology be part of the solution?
… More than 38 percent of municipal solid waste was uncontrolled dumped or burned… Solid waste that is not properly managed poses an environmental and human health threat...
2026-04-24
Can smart cities deliver on their promise to be more sustainable, resilient and
equitable than other cities?
Part IV: What are the risks of urban soil pollution, how is it mitigated smart, and what is the feasibility of these measures?
Soil fertility decreases due to pollution, which poses a threat to human health and the environment. Food and drinking water insecurity increases, and air quality and biodiversity decrease. It hampers the ending of world hunger and poverty and health for all...
2026-04-17
Can smart cities deliver on their promise to be more sustainable, resilient and
equitable than other cities?
Part III: Is the world running out of freshwater and can smart cities be part of the solution?
…This article discusses the global availability of freshwater, the role that smart cities can play in this, and the side effects of these smart measures regarding to water availability, and the social and natural environment.
2026-04-10
Can smart cities deliver on their promise to be more sustainable, resilient and
equitable than other cities?
Part II: LONGREAD: How smart city policy contributes to urban air quality
…This article discusses the severity of urban air pollution, the effects on human health and the environment, the smart city measures being implemented to improve air quality, including an analysis of why these measures will be (in)effective.
2026-04-03
Can smart cities deliver on their promise to be more sustainable, resilient, and equitable than other cities?
Part I:
LONGREAD: What is meant by sustainable, resilient, and equitable cities, and is smart city policy feasible?
…The question is whether the current policy direction, which involves transforming cities into smart cities, will deliver what governments hope for…
2026-03-27
How far is the smart meter rollout globally?
…By turning cities into smart cities governments around the world try to tackle the disadvantages of city life while boosting the world economy...
2026-03-20
Why do cities on a global scale become smart?
An increasing number of smart cities arise over the globe... The growth of the world population, especially in cities, puts pressure on governance… What role do smart cities have in this global challenge?
2026-03-13