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Reducing energy use in areas where most people live and work must be a top priority. With more than half of the world's population living in cities, which is projected to hit 68 percent by 2050, urban cities need to look for every opportunity to take a safer, greener approach.
Fremont, CA: Local architects are encouraged to concentrate more on the environmental impact of their projects following the Earth Hour campaign this weekend. The festival, which started in Australia in 2007, is now being held annually in more than 25 countries around the world. Earth Hour urges individuals and companies to switch off non-essential artificial lights for one hour as a sign of dedication to the world.
Reducing energy use in areas where most people live and work must be a top priority.
With more than half of the world's population living in cities, which is projected to hit 68 percent by 2050, urban cities need to look for every opportunity to take a safer, greener approach.
Developers, states, innovators and corporations have the ability to do just that. Environmental sustainable development is based on principles of lower consumption and a transition to renewable, environmentally sustainable resources.
Elevation of the green in urban buildings
Globally, smart city infrastructure investment hit $80 billion in 2016, and is estimated to grow to $135 billion by 2021, as per the International Data Corporation. This involves modern mobility solutions such as elevators and escalators, which play an increasingly important role in creating sustainable – potentially self-sufficient – buildings.
Take, for instance, double-deck elevators. Introduced in 2008 at China's tallest building, the Shanghai World Financial Centre, four double-deck elevators, one on top of the other, carry visitors to a height of 240 meters at a record speed of 36 km/h, where they also act as a sky lobby. In order to achieve this speed, the elevators are equipped with special aerodynamic cladding for cabins and doors with the highest efficiency rating VDI 4701 Class A.
Looking at Barcelona, the Torre Agbar is renowned for its architecture, productive land use and environmental awareness. This requires certification from BREEAM, the world's leading sustainability appraisal scheme. Its elevators use a smart-routing system to maximize use and reduce energy consumption.
