The world of today is stuffed with people, buildings and a lot of traffic. The city life is not always that comfortable, let alone the fact that it is a hectic way of living. However, still many people decide to build up their life in the big city, which I think is related to the fact that a city has so much to offer. The city is a sparkling place which is full of activity. It has many places to work and nice hotspots for filling up your free time. Anyhow, the benefits of living in a city are not always that noticeable anymore. So the future needs a solution.
Two examples
First of all, mobile provider Vodafone and Philips are collaborating on a lightning product, in which they combine the Internet of Things network with the LED street light system. Vodafone’s network, which content the machines that pass on information to each other, uses every separate light dot and connects it to the single machines they have. Therefore, the machines will pass on the information to the next one, by using Philips’ City Touch. In this manner the street lightning connects the different devices and creates a whole lightning network.
Paris is being redesigned
Besides, Paris is redesigning its largest crossings in the city, due to the lanes of traffic that ruin the once so popular memorials. The seven largest intersections are being redesigned to take away the cars and to make place for (especially) pedestrians and cyclists. In this manner, there should be less noise, smog, traffic and Paris would definitely be less chaotic.
Another square in Paris
Why is this appearing now?
Cities have been growing for a long time, due to some trends which appeared a bit earlier. Think of urbanisation, the time when people decided that they want to live together in a small community. Also globalization and migration have caused a removal of people from all around the world to the wealthy and developed cities.
However, some kind of cities are becoming too full, which has a negative effect on the inhabitants. Like I said before, the city got stuffed with buildings, people, traffic and a lot of other stuff. I explicitly call it ‘stuff’, since that reflects the way many people think about the current situation. Owing to this opinion, the need for normally taking a walk in the city and the possibility to breathe, both literally and figurative, is coming up.
The society has much more knowledge about the threats that can harm the world, as a result of the need to be more open and transparent to each other. Sustainability is therefore a value which is very significant at the moment. The question how we can build on a sustainable future is often discussed.
A green view in Paris
Paris wants to hitch in by removing some occupied roads around the memorials you can find in the city. By doing that, they create an open space filled with people, bushes, trees, benches and a lot of fresh air.
Vodafone and Philips are also willing to dive into a sustainable city, by developing a lightning network that is connected because of the internet. It saves a lot of energy by using LED lights, and also the co2 emissions will be reduced. Finally, the quality of life will be improved as a result of the safety which has grown in the cities. These lightning makes people feel embraced during their walk, and in this manner the streets will be more pedestrian-friendly.
Prospects
In the city of the future we are able to walk many more miles than before. The guidance we receive during a walk, is also improved by that time. We have created the space and joy to put on some decent boots and parade through the streets of our favourite city. The city of the future is a combination of technology and offline happiness at the same time. The internet of things will help us to create a more sustainable way of living in our own town. The city of the future will also contain separated areas. It can be very chaotic, hectic and full of traffic in one area, but extremely quiet, peaceful and with full of pedestrians in the other. There will be places to escape from the busy life and where you can have a little break, and just breathe.
Eventually, everybody wants to walk the line
See you next time,
Amy Melenboer ♥
Sources:
http://www.brainport.nl/en/news-developments/philips-and-vodafone-join-forces-for-connected-lighting
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