In June 2014, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power. Since then, Egypt’s government has shifted from considering climate issues as a nonissue to organizing the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November 2022.

However, the reality is that the Egyptian government does not prioritize climate change, including its political, social, and economic dimensions, as an essential policy. Instead, it uses climate issues as a potential means to secure foreign funding.

Egypt’s most significant pledged reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is from the oil and gas sector, targeting a 65 percent reduction by 2030. Yet, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), between 2000 and 2021, the use of gas rose by over 300 percent, while oil use increased by 61 percent.

In February 2024, Egypt’s fiscal policy prioritized expansion and growth over the wellbeing of its people, including environmental and climate concerns.

Describing its economic growth model as “colonial,” Egypt allows foreign oil companies to operate due to the need for immediate foreign currency and the country’s tight economic situation caused by external debt.

Sisi’s administration continued the National Solid Waste Management Program, an Egyptian-German collaborative project aimed at enhancing and strengthening Egypt’s solid waste management. The program focuses on improving Egypt’s public service governance.

The government’s reports in 2019 unified data on waste volume in each of the country’s 27 governorates, as well as data on existing waste management equipment and their conditions.

This was a positive step, but aside from pilot projects in Assiut, Kafr Al Sheikh, and Qena, these masterplans were never implemented nationwide.

Since 2017, the government has discussed plastic pollution at a very surface level, despite it being estimated at 3.6 million tons annually. The government has been reluctant to enforce any form of regulation, only supporting some cleanup efforts, such as removing waste from the Nile, and creating a few alternatives. That’s it!

The government has not been willing to delve deeper into the plastic pollution issue and continues to follow outdated waste management practices across the country, including open-air landfills, improper garbage segregation, and burning.

Half of Egypt’s waste management sector is controlled by informal workers—laborers not officially hired by the government or a private, taxable entity.

These informal workers dominate waste management in large urban areas, such as Cairo’s Zabbaleen (Garbage City), where there is a lack of health and safety standards, especially affecting women and child laborers.

Informal workers provide a wide range of services, creating thousands of jobs for disadvantaged community members. As a result, Egypt’s informal waste management sector is considered irreplaceable.

This influence extends to other sectors, such as urban planning. However, instead of improving the quality of life in slum areas, the government is focusing on building the New Administrative Capital.

Egypt aims for a 7 percent reduction in GHGs by 2030 from the waste management sector. However, officials have not addressed how they plan to manage emissions in crowded areas or how to start creating low-emission zones.

The country’s ambition to become a regional gas hub and a major exporter of liquefied natural gas has been suspended, as a shortage of gas to supply its power plants has led to severe power cuts across Egypt.

Meanwhile, real estate expansion is causing significant environmental harm, according to urban researchers. This expansion is driven by investment purposes rather than addressing housing needs, resulting in a surplus of units and the creation of “ghost” cities.

The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics reported 12.8 million uninhabited units in Egypt.

Such profit-driven urban expansion includes areas like the New Administrative Capital, New Alamein, New Sphinx, New 6th of October, and Al-Shurouk, among other “fourth-generation cities.”

The number of uninhabited units is enough to house a third of Egypt’s population, which is roughly equivalent to the number of Egypt’s poor.

The Egyptian government’s focus on real estate investment exacerbates environmental issues rather than addressing them.

The extraction, transportation, and manufacturing of construction materials such as cement, steel, and chemicals are highly taxing on natural resources and the environment. Construction and demolition processes consume large amounts of energy and water, generating emissions and waste.

In addition to profit-driven urban expansion, Sisi’s regime has faced criticism for continuously cutting down trees from the country’s already limited green spaces, an act publicly described as a “green massacre.” According to Global Forest Watch, Egypt saw a reduction of approximately 5,060,000 square meters of green spaces and tree cover between 2013 and 2023.

The per capita share of green spaces has decreased from 17 square meters to just 9 square meters per person. Warming rates in Egypt’s urban areas have significantly increased due to tree cutting and road expansion.

Air pollution was responsible for 90,000 premature deaths in Egypt in 2019, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Egypt does not yet have a clear emissions reduction target and has not implemented any basic rules for the long-term 2050 National Climate Change Strategy.

The governance of the country needs to take urgent and serious action.

The Forum, which brought together over 1,400 participants in the French capital, was dedicated to the decarbonisation and climate resilience of buildings. According to the latest Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, released this week by UNEP and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), the building and construction sector represents over a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. The report indicates that in 2022, the sector accounted for 37 per cent of global operational energy and process-related CO2 emissions.

In the Declaration de Chaillot, the signing ministers recall that with the acceleration of climate change, buildings will increasingly be exposed to climate-related risks, particularly affecting developing countries and cities. Moreover, by 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas, and global demand for raw materials is expected to double by 2060.

The signatory ministers of the Declaration de Chaillot emphasize the still inadequate volume of renovations and constructions of sustainable buildings, widening the gap between the sector’s trajectory and the goal of the Paris Agreement to keep global warming below 1.5°C by 2100. They also denounce the continued investment in systems and buildings with excessive carbon intensity and the overexploitation of natural resources for construction material production, which contributes to biodiversity and environmental degradation.

In the face of the climate emergency, a swift transition of the buildings sector is a direct requirement to achieve the goals set by the Paris Agreement. However, it is essential to construct this transition with all stakeholders, with a shared vision of cooperation and coordination, considering the specificities of each state.

The ministers committed to:

• Implementing roadmaps, regulatory frameworks, and mandatory building and energy codes to move towards carbon-neutral buildings;
• Implementing an appropriate financial framework with financial and fiscal incentives, and regulatory tools to increase the share of resilient, near-zero emission, and affordable buildings;
• Promoting the adoption of labels, standards, and certifications;
• Leading by example by adopting ambitious policies regarding public procurement;
• Promoting the production, development, and use of low-carbon, durable, and cost-effective construction materials;
• Promoting collaborative value chains, as well as research and development of innovative solutions;
• Improving skills by strengthening local know-how, considering mitigation and adaptation strategies;
• Developing multi-level governance, coordination among different stakeholders, and a more participatory approach to ensure coordination of implementation;
• And developing tools and regulatory frameworks to collect and share data and best practices.

To ensure the implementation of these commitments, the ministers pledge to utilise all international forums such as the G7, G20, G77, and climate COPs to further incorporate the specific issues of construction and buildings. They announce the establishment of an “Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate” coordinated by the GlobalABC to facilitate and monitor the implementation of the goals and means of the Declaration.

The Declaration de Chaillot represents a decisive step in the operational implementation of the Paris Agreement. For the first time, government representatives have agreed on a common declaration to engage an entire value chain of the sector in the transition. The participation of over 1800 stakeholders from this value chain at the first-ever Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris on 7 and 8 March is the first tangible translation of this unprecedented mobilisation.

“For the very first time, 70 governments from all continents commit to a concrete, operational roadmap with a monitoring mechanism to address the challenges of decarbonisation, resilience, and transition in the buildings and climate sector,” said Mr. Christophe Béchu, France’s Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion.   “Along with all stakeholders in the value chain, they pledge to strengthen frameworks, mobilise financing, and share solutions from around the world to implement the Paris Agreement, for a sector that accounts for 21% of greenhouse gas emissions and 55% of global wealth. This is a significant moment for diplomacy and climate action.”

“The Declaration de Chaillot will boost cooperation and strengthen the implementation of local, national, and international climate action in the buildings and construction sector to support the goals of the Paris Agreement. The next round of National Determined Contributions (NDCs), to be submitted by early 2025, will offer a great opportunity to move from ambition to action and accelerate the transformation we need,” said Ligia Noronha, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Head of UNEP, New York Office.

“As Minister of State for Cities, I would like to express our support for the Declaration of Chaillot. Although the commitments listed in this important Declaration go beyond the scope of the Ministry of Cities, we are committed to doing our part and supporting the Brazilian government in whatever is within our purview so that they can be achieved,” said Jader Barbalho Filho, Brazil’s Minister of Cities. “To go further, we are examining the possibility of holding a ministerial meeting during COP-30 to continue the discussions initiated in this Forum. And finally, we would like to announce that we will be suggesting and supporting a specific working Group to address the decarbonization of the buildings and real estate sector within the G20 framework.”

Countries Declaration

United Arab Emirates – H. E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure:

“Decarbonizing buildings and ensuring their resilience to climate change risks are key priorities on the world’s agenda. The UAE endorses the Ministerial Declaration that will be an effective tool for achieving these priorities.”

Gabon – H.E. Mr Ludovic Megne Ndong, Minister of Housing, Town Planning and Land Registry:

“As a pioneer in Equatorial Africa on climate and sustainable development issues, Gabon intends to seize the opportunity of the first World Forum on Building and Climate and the Chaillot Declaration to be the driving force behind sustainable design practices, technological innovations and solutions in this sector, and to highlight the breakthrough for buildings as a complementary initiative in the service of the international collaboration needed to decarbonise and make buildings resilient on a global scale.”

United Kingdom – Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance:

“The UK has a record to be proud of when it comes to net zero, having become the first major economy to halve its emissions.

But we know climate change doesn’t respect national borders, so we need to work together with our international partners and friends to meet this challenge head on.

Signing the Déclaracion de Chaillot today is another important step, helping to ensure our nation’s buildings are fit for a low-carbon future, while also supporting the goals of the new Buildings Breakthrough.”

Türkiye – Ms Fatma Varank, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change:

“The declaration will contribute to provide green transformation and construction sector to achieve climate goal by believing all out strategy is required to combat climate change.”

UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 – Razan Al Mubarak:

“Business, industry, and city leaders are already taking action to unlock the climate solutions of the buildings sector. We welcome the enabling role this forum plays in further unlocking collaboration at an international level, through initiatives like the Buildings Breakthrough.”

About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. 

About the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC)

Founded at COP21, hosted by UNEP and with 291 members, including 42 countries, the GlobalABC is the leading global platform for all built environment stakeholders committed to a common vision: A zero-emission, efficient and resilient buildings and construction sector.

The road on which the Egyptian government wants to build the new highway will be wide, straight and modern and will pass through the heart of Old Cairo.

For a millennium people have lived in the city that today is called Cairo or, in Arabic, Al-Qahira: The Victorious.

Evidence of this continuous settlement is everywhere, but especially in the narrow, narrow and winding streets of the historic center, which follow routes first laid out centuries ago. Along these streets are historic mosques and markets, and the tombs of the venerable inhabitants who once roamed there. Today it is one of the poorest and most densely populated areas of the city.

The highway will not bypass sites of historical or cultural importance, but will pass directly through them.

The Old city of Cairo

Demolitions have begun, even though a petition with 16 thousand signatures has been launched to save Darb 1718 (the Egyptian center of contemporary art and culture located in the old city of Cairo).

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s mission to reshape Egypt extends far beyond Old Cairo. The former field marshal came to power in 2013 after three years of political instability that began with a popular uprising in 2011. Since then, his administration has undertaken a massive infrastructure-building effort.

In the last nine years he has built 934 bridges and 5,800 km of new roads. Cairo has completed a third metro line with 29 stations. A new capital, 45 kilometers southeast of Cairo, is currently under construction, with an estimated price tag of $58 billion.

The president says all this new infrastructure stimulates the economy and is necessary to accommodate the country’s population of 106 million (22 million of whom live in the Greater Cairo area).

And President Sisi’s infrastructural ambition is also applauded outside Egypt. During his tenure, the country rose from 118th to 28th in the infrastructure category of the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report.

But critics point out that such large-scale construction projects (contractors are mainly from BRITAIN, the United Arab Emirates and SAUDI ARABIA) risk destroying Egypt’s priceless heritage in its quest for modernity.

While President Al SISI boasts of the country’s strong economic growth, food prices in Egypt have increased by more than 64% in 2023. Cumulative inflation has reached 63%, while food inflation has increased by 115 %. The price of onions increased by up to 450%, sugar by 128%, meat by 80%, rice by 69%. Obviously there is strong discontent among the population and 31 million (out of 104, about a third) of people live below the poverty line and 40 million inhabitants on low income. Egypt could therefore soon see a sharp increase in the number of poor. On top of all this, investors in these infrastructures want certainty over the economy and political control of the country, where the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is certainly causing strong geopolitical turbulence.

Today, in fact, some countries, despite being part of the ARAB LEAGUE, partially support the Israeli cause, such as Jordan which has opened the airspace to Israeli and US planes and has also shot down some drones. It should be remembered that in Jordan one in five inhabitants is of Palestinian origin (around 3 million), including Queen Rania, and that in recent weeks there have been very heated protests against Israel, but Saudi Arabia has also played an indirect role, hosting the air defense and surveillance systems of Western countries, while Egypt has Britain among its largest economic investors, all this only highlights these countries as good allies of EU countries, therefore in part, not opponents of the Israeli cause.

In fact, even the Middle Eastern geopolitical chessboard of some countries has had to find a balance between opposing interests and political and economic stability, all to the detriment of the poorest social classes and less geopolitically influential countries.

Inside Villa Farnesina (€12; villafarnesina.it), there is just a handful of people admiring the murals by Raphael, while outside a grove of citrus trees is groaning with fruit. The Caffè Settimiano on nearby Via Garibaldi – where I stop off for my first Aperol spritz of the year – is full of mismatched vintage furniture, attracting equal numbers of Romans and blissed-out American students beginning a semester abroad.

Like other European cities, Rome now has a selection of hotels which aim to offer maximum experience at lower costs. At the newly opened CitizenM Rome Isola Tiberina, there’s no room service, nor are there minibars in the rooms. Instead, CitizenM has a pullout refrigerator drawer and will point you towards the nearest supermarket (there are drinks and food to buy in the lobby). In other ways, serious money has been spent to ensure staying here feels like a treat rather than a trade down. The hotel group likes designer furniture (the real stuff supplied by Vitra, rather than cheaper copies). It’s in a central part of the city, rather than the suburbs. Crucially, the beds are big and the bedding has experientially high-thread counts.

At these new style hotels, prices rise and fall with demand. The industry term is “dynamic” – you’ll get the best rates in low season or by booking far ahead, or when they’ve recently opened. CitizenM started in the Netherlands and there’s a tangible egalitarian Dutch ethos at play at breakfast: we’re encouraged to pick up our coffees from the counter and take our trays to a trolley in the corner after we’ve finished which fits with the “leave as you found it” feel of the place.

My first stop is near the hotel, Pasticceria Boccione on Piazza Costaguti, which is the oldest Jewish bakery in Rome, founded in 1815. There may not be a sign outside, but there’s always a queue for its pizza ebraica, a charred-looking, phenomenally delicious pastry, with candied fruits, almonds and raisins held together with dough. Afterwards, I wander, nip into churches, window shop for cassocks and vestments (Rome has many shops selling religious clothing) and stop off at Beppe e i Suoi Formaggi, a cheesemonger that also serves natural wine, on Via di Santa Maria del Pianto.

Visiting before the crowds in summer means that the queues for the Pantheon are short but, in fact, most of Rome’s joys – churches apart – aren’t behind walls. The city is studded with ancient remains, lovely in the late afternoon sun, but even more beautiful at twilight, when there are few tourists around. A five-minute walk away from the hotel, I come across the Portico d’Ottavia, built by Emperor Augustus circa 20BC, now with walkways where you can just wander between columns and ancient arches, while surrounded by houses and apartments.

Photograph: Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2024/feb/18/rome-italy-why-spring-is-the-best-time-to-visit?utm_source=eml&utm_medium=emlf&utm_campaign=Email_Roundup22022024_UK&CMP_TU=mrtn&CMP_BUNIT=holys

It’s a controversial opinion, but Rome’s major sites are overrated. Crowded, costly and utterly devoid of charm, the city’s most visited landmarks have been cheapened in the age of mass tourism into little more than a box-ticking – or selfie-taking – exercise.

Which isn’t to say you shouldn’t go. Everyone should be accosted by a middle-aged Italian man in a plastic centurion’s costume or shouted at by a Vatican security guard at least once in their life. But there’s a lot more to the Eternal City than its ancient ruins and Renaissance sculptures.

First stop is a monumental beaux-arts structure on the north-western side of the Villa Borghese park

The best way to enjoy Rome’s centro storico is on a night-time stroll. The buildings and fountains will be beautifully lit, you’ll often have the views all to yourself, and it frees up time during the day to explore the city’s exciting, contemporary side.

First stop is a monumental beaux-arts structure on the north-western side of the Villa Borghese park. It’s a gallery that, in any other city, would be towards the top of everyone’s to-do list, but Rome being Rome, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea doesn’t draw huge crowds, despite having a breathtaking array of works.

The collection features most of modern art’s most famous names, important works from Italian masters and a fine selection of pieces from living artists. What’s most enjoyable about it though, is not the quality of the art, but the way it’s displayed, because the gallery has been dramatically transformed in recent years under the stewardship of outgoing director Cristiana Collu. The result is a space that makes you reconsider a lot of preconceptions about modern art movements. The diverse collection is exhibited with lots of energy and a thematic, rather than chronological, layout that brings a freshness and vitality that large national collections too often lack.

Macro is a popular haunt among Rome’s art fans in the city, but one that’s difficult to define

A mile and a half north-west, slightly further if you take the scenic route along the river, is a gallery as monumental as anything in the centro storico. But Zaha Hadid’s boldly designed Maxxi, the National Museum of 21st-Century Art, is worth a visit for more than the architecture. As an example of the variety on show, current exhibitions include retrospectives of Greek arte povera painter and sculptor Jannis Kounellis, Neapolitan designer Riccardo Dalisi, and comic-book artist Benito Jacovitti. There are also several large installations and a contemporary design collection, as well as an extensive permanent collection of drawings, models, photographs and recordings from Italy’s best-known modern architects. The museum also runs talks, performances, exhibitions and workshops throughout the year.

Off the beaten tourist track, east of the Villa Borghese in residential Salario, Macro, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, was once Peroni’s main brewery in the city. It has been transformed into a sleek, postindustrial space that is a popular haunt among Rome’s art fans in the city, but is difficult to define. The museum’s own website calls it both a “container that becomes content”, and a “polyphonic cultural centre”. Whatever you call it, it’s well worth a visit, and admission is free.

Across town to the south, in Rome’s EUR district, the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana is another worthwhile stop for anyone who wants to see the more modern side of Rome. Now the global headquarters of Fendi, the “square colosseum” is a striking example of the neoclassical Italian Rationalist style from the fascist period. The area around it offers an interesting glimpse of what Mussolini’s Italy might have looked like. The building’s unique aesthetic and complicated history make it worth a visit – but don’t miss out on its gallery. It recently featured a gorgeous site-specific exhibition of works by contemporary sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, including an extensive assortment of documents and drawings from his archive.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2024/feb/05/rome-isnt-all-ruins-check-out-its-breathtaking-contemporary-art-and-design-too,

Photograph: Martin Thomas Photography/Alamy

Dreaming of moving to Europe? This could be the perfect time as more and more countries launch digital nomad visas and workplaces continue to offer remote contacts.

That said, there are a lot of destinations to choose from and you need to make sure you find somewhere that suits your lifestyle, budget and interests. Here’s where a new survey by InterNations—a global networking and advice site for expats—may come in handy.

The platform has asked over 12,000 people living in 49 cities around the globe to rank everything from ease of making friends to career opportunities. Here are the best and worst European cities for expats at the moment, according to their results.

You may think a European capital would clinch the top spot, but the best city in Europe and in the world for expats in 2023 is Málaga, according to the survey. Respondents voted Málaga the top city in the world for friendliness, with nine out of 10 saying inhabitants are welcoming of foreign residents.

The coastal Spanish city is also the top-rated for its temperate climate and good weather, while expats voted it second globally for quality of life. Málaga also comes in the top 10 for healthcare, travel and transit.

The city is slightly let down by its career opportunities, only making 41st place for the local job market. However, when it comes to work-life balance, it soars ahead into first place. If you’re looking for a place to live on a budget, Málaga makes a good choice as it ranked first for the general cost of living and came top in the personal finance index.

The survey’s second and third best cities globally are Alicante and Valencia, while the capital Madrid made 6th place. Respondents particularly appreciated the ease of settling in in these destinations and quality of life.

Alicante claimed the top spot for making expats feel welcome and the social life it offers residents. Healthcare is both affordable and easily available and it has excellent leisure options. The city is let down by its low ranking for working abroad, however, with expats saying local workplaces do not encourage creativity or flexibility.

Expats who want to feel confident about healthcare options should consider Valencia, which ranked first for affordability and third for availability in that category. Survey respondents also praised the general cost of living in the city, which leads to a top 10 place in the personal finance index.

Beyond these practical concerns, expats are also well connected in Valencia. Most feel welcome there, and the same share considers the local residents to be friendly. It’s hardly surprising, then, that 80% are happy with their social life in Valencia

Claiming 6th spot overall, Madrid ranks third in the world for quality of life and eighth place for east of settling in. It comes in first for leisure options and culture and nightlife. Madrid’s expats score digital life well too, praising its high-speed internet access and unrestricted access to online services.

On the downside, over 50% of expats find it difficult to live in the Spanish capital without speaking the language and are unhappy with job security and the local economy.

Bringing up the rear of the rankings is Milan in 49th place. Expats particularly struggle with bureaucracy, finding it difficult to open a local bank account and obtain a visa. The city also ranked poorly for its housing options, job security and fair pay. About one-third of expats aren’t satisfied with their personal career opportunities in Milan. In addition, less than half are satisfied with their job in general and they also struggle immensely with their financial situation.

In the quality of life index, Milan ranks among the worst 10 cities worldwide. Although the leisure options are good, especially the chance to travel, expats don’t feel safe and over half say the air quality is poor compared to 17% globally.

Source: Worldenvironment Magazine

In the dynamic tapestry of urban life, the persistent hum of activity isn’t just a background noise—it’s a tangible issue known as noise pollution. As cities evolve, the cacophony accompanying them poses significant challenges to residents and the environment. This article explores the impacts of noise pollution in cities and suggests measures to diminish its adverse effects.

The Impact of Noise Pollution:

Health Concerns: Excessive noise levels have been linked to various health issues, including stress, sleep disturbances, and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The constant exposure to traffic noise, construction activities, and other urban sounds can take a toll on both physical and mental health.

Environmental Impact: Noise pollution not only affects humans but also disrupts the natural habitats of wildlife. Urban fauna often face challenges in communication, mating, and finding food due to the interference caused by human-generated noise.

Decreased Quality of Life: Residents of noisy urban areas often experience a decreased quality of life. Noise pollution can hinder concentration, productivity, and overall satisfaction with the living environment.

Mitigating Noise Pollution:

Urban Planning and Design: Implementing thoughtful urban planning and design can play a crucial role in reducing noise pollution. This includes creating green spaces, pedestrian-friendly zones, and sound barriers. Well-designed public spaces can act as buffers against the noise generated by traffic and other urban activities.

Traffic Management: Reducing traffic congestion and implementing traffic management strategies can significantly lower noise levels. Encouraging public transportation, cycling, and walking can contribute to a quieter urban environment.

Enforcement of Noise Regulations: Stringent enforcement of noise regulations is essential for curbing excessive noise in cities. Establishing and strictly implementing noise limits for various activities, including construction and public events, can help maintain a more peaceful urban atmosphere.

Community Engagement: Raising awareness among residents about the impacts of noise pollution and involving communities in decision-making processes can foster a collective effort to address the issue. Encouraging responsible behavior, such as limiting loud gatherings, contributes to a quieter and more harmonious urban landscape.

Technological Solutions: The development and implementation of noise-reducing technologies, such as low-noise pavements, sound-absorbing materials, and quieter machinery, can play a pivotal role in mitigating the adverse effects of urban noise pollution.

As cities continue to expand, the need to address noise pollution becomes increasingly urgent. By adopting a combination of urban planning strategies, technological innovations, and community engagement, cities can strive towards creating environments that are not only vibrant and dynamic but also conducive to the well-being of their inhabitants. Quieting the urban symphony requires a collective commitment to balance progress with a harmonious and peaceful coexistence.

Source: World Environment Magazine

In an era where the global population is increasingly drawn towards urban lifestyles, the concept of an ideal city has evolved. Today, the world is dotted with cities that epitomize the perfect blend of modernity, sustainability, and cultural richness. From soaring skyscrapers to green spaces, efficient public transportation systems to vibrant cultural scenes, the best urbanized cities offer a tapestry of experiences. Let’s delve into some of these metropolises that stand as shining examples of urban living at its finest.

Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is a dazzling blend of traditional charm and futuristic innovation. Renowned for its efficiency, Tokyo boasts an extensive public transportation network, including the iconic bullet trains. The city is a testament to meticulous urban planning, with green spaces like Ueno Park providing a refreshing contrast to the bustling urban landscape. Tokyo’s skyline, adorned with towering skyscrapers, reflects the city’s commitment to technological advancement.

Singapore: Tiny yet mighty, Singapore consistently ranks high on global urbanization indices. The city-state is a paragon of cleanliness, orderliness, and sustainability. The Marina Bay Sands, an architectural marvel, stands as a symbol of Singapore’s modernity. The city’s commitment to green spaces is evident in attractions like Gardens by the Bay, while the efficient public transport system makes navigating the city a breeze.

Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen exemplifies the perfect marriage between urban living and quality of life. Renowned for its bike-friendly infrastructure, the city encourages sustainable transportation. The integration of modern architecture with historic landmarks, such as the Nyhavn harbor, creates a picturesque cityscape. Copenhagen’s commitment to renewable energy and green initiatives has earned it a reputation as one of the most environmentally friendly cities globally.

Vancouver, Canada: Nestled between mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver offers a unique urban experience characterized by natural beauty. The city is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness. Vancouver’s extensive network of parks, including the famous Stanley Park, provides residents and visitors with an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. The city’s modern architecture complements its stunning natural backdrop, making it a sought-after urban destination.

Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne consistently ranks among the most livable cities globally, thanks to its diverse cultural scene, efficient public transport, and well-designed urban spaces. The city is known for its vibrant street art, eclectic neighborhoods, and a plethora of cafes and restaurants. Melbourne’s commitment to fostering a creative and inclusive urban environment is evident in events like the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

As our world becomes increasingly urbanized, the best cities are those that successfully balance technological advancement with cultural richness, sustainability with modernity. Tokyo, Singapore, Copenhagen, Vancouver, and Melbourne represent the pinnacle of urban living, offering residents and visitors alike a harmonious blend of convenience, aesthetics, and quality of life. These cities serve as inspiration for others striving to create urban environments that prioritize the well-being of their inhabitants while embracing the challenges of the future.

Source: Worldenvironment Magazine

 Cities transform and become theatres of change. The urban regeneration of disused areas, inspired by sustainability principles and the development of communal spaces, is part of the post-industrial city where there are continuous economic, technological, social and political changes. Pierattelli Architetture – a studio founded in Florence in 1980, with offices in Milan – interprets this change by handling the project for the recovery and development of the former Curtatone e Montanara military barracks, in the historic centre of Pisa. By juxtaposing the recovery of unused spaces with the creation of new residential areas, the work provides social housing and a public park of more than 2,000 square metres open to the city.

This area was the Distretto di Leva headquarters until 1995 and then disused. The former military area is located south of Lungarno, in the San Martino district. In the changing city, the barracks – built mainly during the unification of the Italian state and before the Second World War – are considered starting points for the regeneration of the disused military heritage, which occupies central and symbolic spaces, close to railway yards and major road junctions. Accessibility, inclusiveness and quality: this part of Pisa will become a new landmark, acting as a driver for a new way of social and collaborative living, opened to the city and stimulating new regeneration processes for the San Martino district.

The purchaser of the former Curtatone and Montanara military district, Investire SGR in Rome, is specialised in developing real estate portfolios and a leader in Italian real estate. It entrusted the area’s recovery project to Pierattelli Architetture, through the Toscano Housing Fund. Accessible from Piazza San Martino and Via Giordano Bruno, 600 metres from Pisa’s central railway station and 2.6 km from Galileo Galilei airport, the former barracks underwent environmental reclamation. The area consists of four main buildings, of which only one has been built from scratch. The buildings date back to different historical periods. The one in front of the Church of San Martino, is a former medieval monastery remodelled and enlarged in the 19th century, the more recent buildings were built in the late 19th and early 20th century. 

Limited by the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage, the Pierattelli Architetture project focuses on the recovery and integration of the complex, which becomes exclusively residential, with homes for social housing, assigned to families based on their income, and for the Voluntary Sector. This occupies an area of more than 8,000 square metres for 72 flats of different sizes and three shops.

The architects redesigned the interior spaces to obtain additional floors. The buildings that make up the complex have been completely modified and restructured in their elevations and internal staircases, and dialogue through their shapes and colours in a palette of warm, delicate tones that pick up on the nuances of raw earth and the land, using Tuscan terracotta as a sunshade on the terraces of the newly constructed building. This building was developed on four levels. It has a room for condominium use on the ground floor and 19 residential units divided into five different sizes, some of which have large spaces. 

The large terraces where greenery was added, became the project’s typifying element, a further incentive to the dwellers’ well-being and life quality. Pierattelli Architetture’s work is particularly incisive in transforming the area into a new meeting point and the centre into a public park full of vegetation and pedestrian and vehicular paths connecting the district’s streets. The project is not just about the redevelopment and recovery of an area abandoned for 30 years but a new connection space for the district through different streets, and using almost exclusively pedestrian paths that did not exist

Pierattelli Architetture founder Massimo Pierattelli said: ”The project to transform the former Curtatone Montanara barracks area is a rare case of recovery within a historic and ancient city like Pisa, which is undergoing a great transformation including the new Stadium, Santa Chiara Hospital and Galilei Airport. Our project is part of this evolution in a complicated environment like the historic centre, which has objective accessibility and management limitations.  By creating new housing and a new communal space, our work is not just about the redevelopment of an abandoned area, but an opportunity for citizens to experience more of the historic centre, due to green spaces, a square and play area that will be one of the largest public areas in the southern part of the city. In addition, the new social housing will create a new mixed community in the San Martino district which can drive the development of activities within the former Barracks area, the neighbourhood and the historic centre of Pisa.”

Your commute to work, the family gathering, the food on your table, and the goods you buy – all rely on transport and our lives are unthinkable without it. But transport also represents a growing threat to our planet. Buses, cars, planes, ships, and trucks burn fossil fuels, and this causes climate change.

Transport accounts for 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Over the last three decades, transport emissions grew at an annual average rate of 1.7% — faster than any other sector except industry. These emissions must fall by more than 3% a year to 2030 to get on track with net zero goals, according to the International Energy Agency.  

What the world needs now are affordable solutions that can rapidly cut transport’s dependence on fossil fuels, improve people’s lives, and can be expanded quickly to more places. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems meet these goals.  

BRTs also address a growing problem in our cities. Cities are expanding fast – especially in developing countries – and so is the number of cars. Faced with epic traffic jams and polluted air, many cities are trying to move people more efficiently, safely, and affordably, and with a much smaller carbon footprint. 

Without alternatives to carbon-intensive transport in the world’s fastest-growing cities, emissions are set to rise. By 2050, the demand for passenger transport could grow by 75% from 2019 levels, with disastrous impacts on the planet unless emissions are cut drastically.

BRTs’ bus-only lanes take cars off the road and move people quickly, providing the benefits of metro systems at a fraction of the cost.  They can also rapidly cut the dependence of public transport systems on fossil fuels. The revolution in battery technology has made battery powered electric buses increasingly viable around the world.  

One such example is in Cairo in Egypt. The government, with the World Bank’s support, is preparing to introduce some 100 electric buses, laying the groundwork for a much larger fleet of e-buses in the future. Shifting traffic from cars to buses already helps cut down on vehicle-related air pollution; electrifying this shift takes the benefits even further.   

Another example is in Senegal. The capital city of Dakar is introducing a new fully electric BRT line – the first in West Africa. Dakar’s BRT reduces the number of cars on the road and shifts commuters to electric rather than fossil fuel-powered vehicles – reducing both local and global emissions. Over its lifetime, the BRT project will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by an estimated 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide– equivalent to taking more than a quarter of a million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles off the road for one year.  

Backed by the World Bank, European Investment Bank, public and private sources, the BRT project is also part of Senegal’s climate pledge under the Paris Agreement to mitigate global warming and adapt to climate change. 

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/immersive-story/2023/10/16/climate-action-game-changers-urban-transport