Pollution, congestion, noise, unfriendly public space… is this what awaits humanity as 70% of the global population lives in cities by 2050? Most likely, the answer is no—judging by recent developments in various European cities and by the visionary work of urban planners, urban designers and architects. This long essay takes us on a tour of Europe to discover several initiatives aimed at reducing automobile traffic, and to meet with experts and thought leaders who strive “to rebalance the public space and create a city for people,” as one of them puts it. “Less pollution, less noise, less stress; a more walkable city,” a scenario that technology and the sharing economy have already brought closer to reality in many places.
Cities are growing smarter, greener, more human-friendly
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