urban

02 MAY 2019 11 MIN READ 16 PEOPLE LIKED THIS

Migration is often demonised by the media and politicians but the benefits can outweigh the drawbacks with good governance. Globally, migration is at an all-time high; we discuss how migration can generate surprising gains in support of sustainable development.

28 FEB 2019 19 MIN READ 19 PEOPLE LIKED THIS

Where conventional sanitation is out of reach, old methods paired with new science can get human waste safely back in the ground, with environmental benefits and more. A project in Haiti is leading the way for cities without sewers.

20 DEC 2018 11 MIN READ

The magnitude of a disaster is not measured solely by the size of an earthquake or strength of a storm. It depends on how societies are structured and organised, as this affects their disaster resilience.

07 NOV 2018 15 MIN READ 16 PEOPLE LIKED THIS

Originally built in the early 1950s to create a water supply reservoir, the Nairobi Dam has deteriorated significantly and now poses a threat to human and ecosystem health. Residents of Kibera, the informal settlement that borders the reservoir, have been transforming its tributaries into a lively network of community amenities and programmes since 2006.

14 JUN 2018 12 MIN READ 17 PEOPLE LIKED THIS

Heatwaves across south-east Australia continue to break records. New Orleans is still searching for solutions to its flooding issues following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Researchers look for global lessons in the aftermath of extreme weather events to see how cities can respond to environmental challenges ahead.

31 MAY 2018 9 MIN READ

In development efforts, trees and greenery are seen as luxuries not priorities. But spending more time in nature helps people cope with adversity and improves their health; these aspects should be considered alongside material and economic benefits.

17 MAY 2018 16 MIN READ 9 PEOPLE LIKED THIS

More than half of the world’s cities already face recurring water shortages. Cape Town’s lack of water is a shock to many but also a result of slow changes. Beyond blame and technical fixes there lie insights into new ways of thinking about water.

25 JAN 2018 19 MIN READ

From Brooklyn to Bangalore, community networks and collaboration yield success – and lessons, for governance and community involvement elsewhere.

07 DEC 2017 7 MIN READ 13 PEOPLE LIKED THIS

As the end of the year approaches, we offer you a countdown to good reads: three books from this year, two fundamental books, and one classic-to-be.

23 NOV 2017 11 MIN READ 16 PEOPLE LIKED THIS

A call for “new urban knowledge” – and a little bit of tinkering – might help to address how cities and their regions can develop resilience in the face of a quickly urbanising planet.