Smart roads, robots controlling the underground and renewable energy. All these technologies, and more, are coming to a city near you.
Technology is has already revolutionised every part of our lives, but PowerTools2U have uncovered that we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. With the world’s population set to skyrocket, cities are having to think big and they are turning to technology to help them out.
The size of the problem should not be under-estimated. Between now and 2050, estimates suggest the world’s population could grow from 7.53bn to 9.7bn. New cities are being built and existing ones are expanding rapidly to fit all those people in, and to do so they are developing a host of exciting new technologies. These are the smart cities and they could end up changing pretty much everything.
New Clark City, Philippines: An eco-friendly disaster resistant city.
Up in New Clark City in the Philippines, they are making the most of their natural environment. Life can be tricky in what is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Earthquakes, floods and typhoons can all cause problems – not to mention the volcanoes. But by using lava, New Clark will turn the produce of disaster into a new environmentally-friendly materials. When combined with concrete, it becomes Lahar – a sturdy, disaster resistant material which will minimise the city’s carbon footprint.
The capital of Philippines, Manila, is well known for its traffic jams, its one of the reasons why the city has a concerning air-pollution problem that affects 98% of the residents. To tackle this growing problem, the Philippines wants to build a city that doesn’t rely on cars. That’s where New Clark City comes in. This futuristic city will be largely pedestrianised with effective public transportation, cutting down the need for cars.
Pena Station Next, Denver, USA: A truly smart city
Smart technology can be used to help keep people fit. Working with Panasonic, Pena Station will have it’s a new headquarters but this time, it will be a wellness centre, complete with smart scales and blood pressure monitors to help people maintain their own health.
Pena Station also takes the award for having the smartest tech running throughout the city. The roads will be able to talk to the vehicles, which they hope will not only keep the traffic down but help make road traffic accidents a thing of the past – or at least reduce them considerably.
Clean energy and sustainability are on the cards too. With having Colorado’s sun to its advantage, there will be an abundance of rooftop solar panels. As well as the city’s own microgrid that will store excess solar energy for backup. The new headquarters will be decked in solar panels – powering more than 300 employees.
Quay Side Toronto, Canada: Big tech for big ideas
Working with Google’s sister company, Sidewalk Labs, Quayside is creating new, environmentally-friendly affordable homes. These are designed to reduce their carbon footprint and to be quicker, easier and less expensive to put up.
The community also plans to be self-sufficient, generating 10% of its own power. Half of the roof space will be covered in solar panels, fuelling the technology and electric cars in the city.
Meanwhile, the city will employ weather tech to heat pathways for snow conditions as well as using retractable canopies for other climates. High tech won’t just stop at the surface, exciting mechanics will run underneath the town too. Robots will serve underground corridors, carrying utilities and waste.
Technology is changing the world. Cities of the future show what can be done, but there are plenty of things we can all do to kit out our homes with the latest smart technology.