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The green transition will require a massive increase in the supply of critical minerals. Urban policymakers need to understand cities’ extractive footprint — and the impact of their choices, says Kevin Beauchamp
Excessive artificial light in cities is not only annoying and unpleasant, it’s harmful to human health and natural systems. Fortunately, it’s one of the easiest types of pollution to tackle, says Annukka Larsen
After COP 15, biodiversity must become a mainstream part of corporate strategy, says Margot Greenen. Companies have everything to gain by helping nature to recover — and much more to lose if they don’t
Reusing heritage buildings avoids unnecessary carbon emissions and preserves the fabric of our towns and cities. We just need to reimagine them for a net-zero future
Timber buildings sequester and store carbon — until they’re demolished. So why don’t we design them for a second life, asks Thomas Musson
Is going to the office good for our wellbeing? Michael B Friedman offers a psychological perspective on the part-time city
In October 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council recognized for the first time that access to a healthy environment is a universal right. UN Special Rapporteur David R Boyd explains why this matters
The rise of online deliveries by car, van or truck is choking our cities. Micromobility could make “last mile” logistics cleaner and healthier — as well as faster and more cost-effective, say Graham Pointer and Shifani Sood
Smart buildings are useless if people can’t interpret the reams of complex information they generate. We need to completely rethink the interface between human and machine, says James Kinch
Abul Mahdi of humanitarian architecture charity Article 25 on the importance of keeping things local
Attribution science is giving us new ways to drive action on carbon emissions, and to support communities to adapt. L Delta Merner at the Union of Concerned Scientists explains how it’s changing the game
How do we measure something as complex as sustainability or equality in cities? The answer is right in front of us, says Helena Klintström. Just look at the health of the people who live there
Aviation experts Mattias Frithiof and Gaël Le Bris on the wider benefits of greener flying
“Forever chemicals” have been an issue on industrial sites for some time. Now we need to address them in urban spaces too, says Stefano Marconetto
Not only can we put a value on nature — we must, argues welfare economist Scott Cole. Offsets will be an essential part of the fight against biodiversity loss
We can think about corporate resilience in the same terms as wellness and self-care, say Kealy Herman and Emily Wasley
Construction’s cautious approach to new products is undermining its net-zero aspirations before we’ve really begun, writes David Glover
Costa Rica’s decarbonization plan could make it US$41 billion better off by 2050 — even if other countries do nothing, says Adrien Vogt-Schilb
We need new solutions for sustainable reuse, says Maria Brogren, but we should also look to the past
City leaders need to think beyond the parking space and activate streets for new, sustainable ways of living and moving around.
Net zero should bring wider ecological benefits, writes Tom Butterworth — but if we’re not careful, it could exacerbate another global crisis
Copenhagen’s new power plant shows that urban infrastructure can make great public spaces, writes Mark Bessoudo
Smart buildings present new, unprecedented risks to their developers, owners and tenants. Managing these must become part of the design process
Following Leesman’s survey of more than 4,900 workplaces, Peggie Rothe delves into the data to debunk some office myths
Food sovereignty and sustainable food systems expert Nick Rose is pioneering urban agriculture in Melbourne. He explains why the future of city life depends on it
Extinction Rebellion are right to be angry. But unless they know exactly what they want, they’re doomed to fail, says Susan Krumdieck
We need to stop thinking of buildings as fixed entities and give them the chance to adapt, writes Mark Bessoudo
Micromobility will profoundly change urban landscapes – let’s make sure it’s for the better
Inclusive design specialist Ross Atkin discusses why placemaking often fails disabled citizens, the dangers of decluttering, and how to build a people-friendly smart city
Carbon emissions don’t respect corporate boundaries, says Kealy Herman
Harvard professor Bill Kerr argues that global talent migration is a ‘gift’ that helps societies to flourish. But cities need to get over the idea of being the next Silicon Valley and make the system work for everyone
Solutions to many of our urban problems can be found up on the roof, say Freija Carlstén and Emmelie Nilsson
Don’t get hung up on the gadgetry, writes Matthew Marson. Smart is about the ends, not the means