Smart Cities, Climate Risks, and Autonomous Cars | The Future of Urban Living

Welcome to Urban Forecast! In this special episode, Oli and Jon answer questions submitted by listeners, diving into bold predictions about the future of cities by 2050. They discuss the impact of climate change, the role of autonomous vehicles, the transformation of urban spaces, and the fascinating potential of AI-powered digital twins. If you’ve ever wondered how technology, the environment, and urban living will collide over the next few decades, this is the episode for you.

Key Takeaways

Urban populations are expanding rapidly, particularly in developing areas, placing major pressure on cities.

Climate change and urban heat islands will drive significant challenges for cities by 2050.

Autonomous vehicles could dramatically reduce the need for private car ownership and free up enormous amounts of space currently dedicated to parking.

Redesigning freed-up urban space could lead to cooler, greener cities, mitigating the urban heat bubble effect.

Rising sea levels pose a serious threat to low-lying cities like London, necessitating major engineering interventions such as larger flood barriers.

Digital twins and AI will enable real-time management of city systems like flood defences and waste management.

Predictive modelling using digital twins can help cities better prepare for extreme weather events.

The key to sustainable urban futures lies in combining green infrastructure with advanced digital technologies.


Best Moments

"With any change, it happens slowly — and then very fast."

"There's 34 square kilometres of London currently dedicated to parking — imagine what we could do with that space."

"Introducing trees and green space can bring down urban temperatures by up to eight degrees — and that’s life-saving."

"An AI-enabled digital twin doesn't just model the future — it reacts in real-time to help cities manage crises as they happen."


VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.ackroydlowrie.com/your-guide-to-delivering-co-living-developments-that-work 


EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

The Future of Sustainable Construction 

The Future of Sustainable Design 


ABOUT THE HOSTS

Jon Ackroyd and Oliver Lowrie, the visionary hosts of Urban Forecast, bring their expertise from leading their innovative practice, Ackroyd Lowrie. Known for pushing the boundaries in urban design, Jon and Oliver use their podcast to delve into the future of cities, sharing insights from their work on projects that emphasise sustainability, community, and transformative architecture. Through Urban Forecast, they engage listeners with discussions on how architecture and design shape urban living, aiming to inspire new ways of thinking about the spaces around us.


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