As we mentioned in a previous Focus, neglected urban spaces represent great potential for the creation of vibrant public spaces. Sao Paulo decided to take this opportunity by turning a derelict, hostile space under a highway into a giant hanging garden,…
This Focus, first component of a trilogy dedicated to the innovative ways citizens can directly take action to change their cities, will look at crowdfunding as a powerful tool to transform public spaces in these times of financial crisis. Crowdfunding…
A glowing, tiny birdhouse made its appearance in Amsterdam streets. Called TreeWifi, this little thing is actually smarter than you think.Equipped with pollution sensors, the birdhouse measures the level of pollution in the street. When the air is clean,…
With 561 bus shelters, which 433 equipped with city traffic information terminals or 42” LCD screens, AFA JCDecaux wants to make the city with The Little Mermaid a green smart city.
Though cities are depicted as lively places bustling with human activity, things become more ambivalent when you look closer. Economic crisis, bad urban planning or urban pauperization are some of the many reasons explaining the proliferation of derelict…
With natural disasters on average affecting more than a third of the population each year, Vanuatu is considered as the riskiest place to live in the world, according to the World Risk Report 2016.The global report takes into account the frequency of…
If people want to save the planet, they should move to New York City (or any other big city). This affirmation comes from "Streetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution", a new book written by Janette Sadik-Khan and Seth Solomonow.The former commissioner…
A French architect created a material that could revolutionize the construction industry: a translucent, rot-resistant wood.Timothée Boitouzet is one of the 2016 “Innovators Under 35” selected by the MIT Technology Review for his invention. Inspired by…
Sad but true: cities are becoming more and more expensive for families and young adults. A typical millennial can't afford a 1,000 square-foot home (about 92 square meters) in the majority of the biggest US cities, and tends to share his flat to reduce…
As we mentioned in a previous Focus, air pollution is a growing concern for cities, frequently covered with a heavy and disturbing smog. Paris appears to be one of them, and recently experienced alarming pollution peaks in March 2015.To tackle the problem…
Pigeons are often seen as harmful urban animals, unloved by urban dwellers. The air quality monitoring startup PlumeLabs saw an opportunity to change their reputation with some technology (and a touch of humour).They kitted out 10 pigeons with a tiny…
You think the cold winters of Scandinavian countries are depressing? It seems to be the opposite, as they top the ranking of the World Happiness Report 2016.Denmark is considered the world's happiest country, followed by Iceland, Norway and Finland. Most…
With continuous improvements to materials, regulations, training and group testing, we make every effort to improve the safety of our employees and the users of our products.
Siemens recently published the Green City Index, a study assessing and comparing cities for their environmental performance and actions.
Balanced between reminiscence and modernity, this innovative Parisian collection marks the reinvention of bus shelters into a welcoming space that combines environmental consciousness, design and the latest technology.
If you have had no time to go Christmas shopping, you may be one of the 85% consumers that chose to purchase their gifts online (figures for 2014). A significant order volume which translates into no less than 2 million packages a day delivered in…
Thousands of lights usually illuminate the famous Parisian avenue at Christmas time. But are these Christmas lights very eco-friendly?During the COP21, Ikea partnered with JCDecaux and Ubi Bene to turn the Champs-Elysees into a laboratory of clean energy…
France currently chairs and hosts the COP21. More than 190 countries are negotiating a new international agreement on climate change to keep global warming below +2°C. Among the different environmental issues, air pollution appears to be a growing concern…
From the 4th to 10th of December, three green cabs covered with turf will travel through Paris and offer free rides to city dwellers. This operation, led by the taxi company Taxis G7, emphasizes the continuous committment to the environment of the company…
To mark cities day at the UN Climate Conference in Paris, The Guardian listed 10 datas explaining why the cities should be at the heart of the political decisions.Urban sprawl, air pollution, heat islands, flooding risks : the cities concentrates…