All Things Urban

As the world gets warmer, cities are getting warmer faster than surrounding lands. Without sufficient adaptation on the part of urban authorities, this heat will increasingly kill vulnerable inhabitants. At the same time, heat often coincides with drought: the global urban population exposed to water scarcity is set to increase by at least 81% between 2016 and 2050. Heat will cause water scarcity, just as water can also help with heat. While the first cities to be affected will be in the Global South, cities in Global Northern countries are starting to consistently face the same challenges. How can urban policy actors solve this dilemma? In Catalonia, authorities are innovating water governance during droughts and heatwaves.

At All Things Urban, we thrive on uncovering new niches and exploring unexpected angles that offer fresh perspectives on urban living. Today, we delve into the fascinating world of underground urbanism—a field that is redefining how we design, utilize, and inhabit our cities. In this interview, we speak with Mahak Agrawal, an expert in the field, to gain insights into the significance, challenges, and potential of utilizing underground spaces to create more sustainable and resilient urban environments. Join us as we journey below the surface to discover how underground urbanism is shaping the cities of the future.

In Bratislava, empathy and play are not just child's play; they are essential tools in redesigning urban spaces. This story marks the beginning of a compelling series from the Urban95 Academy by LSE Cities and the Van Leer Foundation, which guides city leaders in crafting environments that prioritise the needs of young children and their caregivers. Bratislava’s efforts to create safer, more accessible streets stand as a testament to the transformative power of child-centric urban planning. As we delve into this series, we'll uncover how cities around the globe are innovating to create communities that support the well-being of all their residents, proving that what works for children works for everyone.

In what ways can Urban AI enhance the quality of life in cities? In our series "A Journey in Urban AI," we explore this intriguing question with emerging leaders who are revolutionizing urban planning through artificial intelligence. This installment features Shweta Gandhi, an accomplished Urban Planner & Strategist currently working at AECOM and a graduate of the first edition of the Urban AI Emerging Leaders Program. With a rich background in strategic visioning, policy development, and urban analytics, Shweta holds an MSc in Sustainable Urban Development from the University of Oxford. She has a keen interest in urban AI and has focused on sustainable urban development and smart city concepts. Based in the Middle East, Shweta is dedicated to using urban AI to enhance urban efficiency and quality of life on a global scale. In this interview, she shares her journey into Urban AI, pivotal moments in her career, challenges, emerging trends, and advice for aspiring professionals in the field.

What are the essential skills and knowledge areas urbanists should focus on? While grasping all the evolving trends at once can be daunting, we've honed in on the key themes that will define sustainable urban development in the near future. This article, brought to you by the All Things Urban team in partnership with the EIT Urban Mobility Academy, highlights these pivotal trends and offers insights into how their courses can prepare you to navigate and contribute to these exciting developments.

Redesigning urban areas to favor active mobility remains a fool-proof way to reduce emissions and improve everyone’s well-being in urban areas worldwide. In the third article, we check out three different approaches to how to push for more cycling – in Copenhagen, Izmir and Malta. Urban Mobility Explained (UMX), the new YouTube channel powered by EIT Urban Mobility, is bringing to you short and easy-to-follow videos that showcase cutting-edge concepts in urban mobility throughout Europe and the world. All Things Urban partnered up with UMX for this article series, for you to broaden your horizon in urban mobility best practices from Europe and around the world.

Technological innovations are dramatically changing how we will be moving through our cities in the future. Urban Mobility Explained (UMX), the new YouTube channel powered by EIT Urban Mobility, provides short and easy-to-follow videos that showcase cutting-edge practices and concepts in urban mobility throughout Europe and the world. All Things Urban partnered up with UMX, so you can tap into their state-of-the-art expertise and future-proof your career in urban mobility. This article covers three technological trends – electric mobility, data spaces and autonomous driving – that every urban practitioner needs to know to stay ahead of the curve.

One of today’s biggest challenges for cities around the globe is providing safe, accessible and sustainable urban transport for their citizens. Urban Mobility Explained (UMX), the new YouTube channel powered by EIT Urban Mobility, is providing short and easy-to-follow videos that showcase cutting-edge practices and concepts in urban mobility throughout Europe and the world. All Things Urban partnered up with UMX for this article series, so you can get inspired, learn and implement their insights to make our cities better places. This first piece introduces the topic of gender equality in urban mobility planning and what practical steps professionals can take to design cities for all.

Community is the key to most urban planning projects. But how to engage with citizens to make sure their voices are heard and all involved parties – planners, clients, residents – are happy? This article is sponsored by Maptionnaire— a community engagement solution for comprehensive collection, analysis, and reporting of citizens' feedback and ideas for developing urban environments. Maarit Kahila and Anna Broberg, both holding a PhD in urban planning, founded Maptionnaire in 2011, which has since been used in over 40 countries. Maptionnaire believes that successful, resilient, and inclusive planning is achieved only together with residents – because they are the ones who have unique knowledge about their living environments. In this piece, Maarit and Anna explain why community engagement is essential and how Maptionnaire can help you navigate the key tools of efficient community engagement.