The global debate on agriculture under urbanisation has often focused a priori on the replacement of agricultural uses by built-up space. It thereby often overlooks new opportunities for agriculture at the urban periphery.
The pandemic has been especially challenging for the agricultural sector. But a new farmer-owned online marketplace puts sustainable produce on the table and creates jobs for rural communities. By Rosa Rodriguez
Providing all citizens with access to sanitation is a challenge in many urban centres. Ashlie Bermudez presents how non-profit social enterprise SOIL is meeting this challenge with innovative, sustainable sanitation technology in Haiti.
An intelligent solar-powered device that lights up our streets, educates residents about recycling and gives you free Wi-Fi? What sounds like a far-fetched dream is now a reality! Meet the T-Bin for circular waste management. By Founder Eddy Gitonga
Climate-resilient and energy-efficient cities need to think about water reuse. Especially in South Asian countries like Pakistan, where the potential of wastewater-to-energy systems is incredibly high. By Masooma Batool
Transitioning to holistic economic systems that support the 1.5 °C target is key for cities. The Circular Turku Roadmap is an excellent example of radical institutional support in favour of circular production and consumption systems. By Marion Guénard from ICLEI
In a world beset by multiple crises, mayors are multitaskers, crisis managers and frontline responders – and crises never wait in line. Katja Dörner, Mayor of Bonn and ICLEI Co-Chair for Climate Action on circular cities and Bonn’s promising path to becoming zero-waste.
"Kulunas" – youth gangs – have been part of Kinshasa's neighbourhoods for two decades. Marc-André Lagrange and Thierry Vircoulon analyse their origins and why their ever more violent repression is not going to increase safety in Kinshasa.
Efforts for infrastructure development will be in vain if the public is not involved in the process. Olive Kabatwairwe with meaningful insights and best practices from Uganda.
Relocations and resettlements are often inevitable. But how can we protect the most vulnerable along the way? By Julian Baskin, Principal Urban Advisor, Cities Alliance
For the world’s growing urban populations, the “new normal” must mean better and sustainable places to live and work, and ways to travel, for all – not just a privileged few. By Barbara Norman and Peter Newman
The future of our cities is circular, argues Maíra Valladares from 3R - Reduzir, Reusar e Reciclar, a recycling company aiming to circularise Mozambican cities' waste management.
Advanced by the COVID-19 pandemic, cities are experiencing a surge in technological innovation. Among them, civic technologies hold promising solutions towards more citizen participation, argues Francesca Esses.
Smart city initiatives have played an increasingly prominent role in urban planning. However, there remains a fundamental gap between data driven urban governance and promoting inclusivity. Jaideep Gupte argues that cities that prioritise citizens over technologies are likely to be the ‘smartest’ and most liveable.
Christopher Dekki outlines why inclusivity should be at the centre of future urban planning.
