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Urban indicators: between useful data and statistical traps
Whenever we consult an environmental report or a ranking of urban sustainability, we encounter a variety of indicators designed to quantify the quality of life in a city. These include green areas per inhabitant, trees per thousand people, energy consumption per capita, total emissions and access time to basic services. But what lies behind each…
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Modelling climate impacts: Considering alternative scenarios
Situated in the European Atlantic bioregion, the Basque Country enjoys privileged climatic conditions that have historically favoured its economic, urban and social development, providing fresh water from rivers, vast expanses of timber in the mountains, mountains that have also acted as natural defences, access to the sea for trade and fishing, and the expansion of…
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Six keys to a successful data observatory
The toy in fashion needs to be supported and developed carefully to avoid it becoming a broken toy In the age of data, dashboards and data observatories have become essential decision-making tools. Yet, like broken toys, we often find outdated platforms and abandoned projects. Creating an effective data observatory is not just about designing attractive…
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Climate adaptation of urban environments to reduce flood damage
Climate scenarios warn of changes in precipitation patterns. A 30% increase in extreme precipitation is predicted for the end of the century (link). One of the most important expected consequences is the flooding of our towns and cities, with its consequent economic and population damage. When talking about floods, the term floodability is used as…
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Environmental Health breaks into Urban Planning for Cities of the Future
As the burden of mortality and morbidity due to poor quality environmental parameters becomes more evident, Environmental Health in the urban environment is becoming increasingly important. Thus, according to the OECD, air pollution in cities will be the leading environmental cause of mortality worldwide by 2050. The World Health Organisation, the European Environment Agency, the…
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Deconstructing Harry: Low Emission Zones and their most recurrent critics
After decades of developmentalism where cities have been built to provide 70% of public space for private car use (ref), citizens have seen their pavements narrow and their air polluted with gases and noise for years. As environmental parameters are increasingly taken into account and their relationship with people’s quality of life is better understood,…
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The imminent redistribution of public space in the city
First stop: from the road network and open-air parking to recovering spaces designed for coexistence and social interaction Cities have been planning and growing in parallel to times of industrial boom accompanied by the migratory movement from rural areas to the city. The urgent residential demands of that time were appeased through urban developments designed…
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Energy contingency plans as an instrument to respond to the current energy situation
The escalation in the prices of natural gas, electricity and oil have unbalanced the energy markets, which, together with speculation, has led to price volatility and energy insecurity throughout the world. In this context, the Energy Contingency Plans were born, as an instrument that responds to the current energy crisis An Energy Contingency Plan addresses…