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4th Industrial Revolution
Global Issue
Industry
Economy
4th Industrial Revolution
Cities and Urbanization
Explore context
Cities and Urbanization
Getting in on the ground floor: how street-level lots could reinvigorate the post-COVID city
It's not just office skyscrapers: the ground floor, which animates our life on the streets, will be key to building back after the COVID pandemic.
COVID-19
People were asked about communal living – this is what they say is the biggest benefit
A new survey looks at attitudes to co-living, which could help many people find friendly, affordable places to live as city-dwelling soars.
Biodiversity
Why urban gardens are a lifeline for the world's pollinators
A new study has found there are more kinds of flowering plants producing nectar in towns and cities than in the farmland and nature reserves measured.
South Africa
Here's what happened when two women set out to clean Johannesburg's dirtiest river
Two women have started a campaign called Water for Future, that aims to tackle river pollution in Johannesburg's Jukskei while creating job opportunities.
Cities and Urbanization
Cities are at the heart of our journey to net zero. Here's why
Governments and companies are aligning on a net-zero goal. This is an opportunity to rethink how we decarbonize our cities – and here's a way forward.
Science
Lockdown allowed scientists to study Earthquakes in a way never possible before
Lockdowns significantly reduced human activity and its impact on the Earth's crust, with ambient noise dropping by 50% to the lowest levels ever recorded.
Spain
Madrid is tackling its ‘biggest environmental catastrophe’ in years by cloning trees
Storm Filomena resulted in thousands of Madrid’s trees being damaged, to tackle the damage specialists are creating genetic clones of the trees.
Sweden
Sweden says goodbye to parking spaces, hello to meeting places
Sweden is experimenting with hyperlocal, street-level changes to make the urban environment more human-centric.
United States
COVID-19: How the pandemic forced 1 in 20 Americans to move
A Pew Research Center survey has found 1 in 20 U.S. adults moved permanently or temporarily due to financial or health concerns in the COVID-19 pandemic.
India
How India can improve urban public health with lessons from COVID-19
Healthcare data and infrastructure investment need to be policy priorities for India, where cholera, tuberculosis, dengue and Ebola are still prevalent.
Cities and Urbanization
No, COVID-19 won’t kill our cities. Here’s why
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on much that makes a bustling city attractive. But two city scholars explain why they think urban areas will endure.
Cities and Urbanization
COVID made many of us avoid public transport - what will it take to get us back on the bus?
A global survey asked people how COVID-19 has affected their use of public transport. Fears about over-crowding and infection are top of people's minds.
COVID-19
How cities can lead the green recovery
The new 1000 Cities Adapt Now initiative will focus on water resilience and using natural systems to protect urban areas from climate change impacts.
Cities and Urbanization
Urban fires: Here's how to build safer cities
Every year, more than 180,000 people die in fires or from burn-related injuries worldwide due to inadequate precautions and infrastructure of buildings.
Netherlands
This Dutch floating village could help tackle city-density and sea-level challenges
Floating homes in the Netherlands neighbourhood of Schoonschip could be a blueprint for communities struggling with climate change and overpopulation.