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Smart Cities Could Give The Blind A New Outlook On Urban Life

Smart Cities Could Give The Blind A New Outlook On Urban Life

Traveling to work, meeting friends for a catch up or just doing some shopping are often taken for granted by people with no known disabilities. For the visually impaired, these seemingly simple things can be a serious challenge. But imagine a city equipped with technology that enables the visually impaired to recognise people, places or even bank notes, helping them…

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Aging Population Needs Walkable, Bikeable Cities

Aging Population Needs Walkable, Bikeable Cities

Seniors have the most to gain from pedestrian and cycling improvements—yet they often feel threatened by changes that provide alternatives to driving. Here are ways to include seniors in active transportation planning. The first time someone accused me of being “ableist” I was shocked. I was advocating ways to make downtown more walkable, including pedestrianizing some streets. I view walkability…

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The Experiences of People with Disabilities and Urban Safety

The Experiences of People with Disabilities and Urban Safety

Creating safe and secure urban spaces is a core concern for city managers, urban planners and policy workers. Safety is a slippery concept to pin down, not least because it is a subjective experience. It incorporates our perceptions of places and memories, but also norms in society about who is expected to use spaces in the city, and who is…

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The Challenge Of Redesigning Cities To Adapt To An Ageing Population

The challenge of redesigning cities to adapt to an ageing population

Age-friendly cities are those that design and adapt their communities so they are suitable for everyone, regardless of age or abilities. That is, barrier-free, inclusive and cohesive cities, designed for diversity.

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To Make A More Accessible City, Turn To The Sidewalk

To Make A More Accessible City, Turn To The Sidewalk

To make a more accessible city, turn to the sidewalk Universities, advocacy organizations and startups are all exploring how to bring “big data to accessibility” in order to transform mobility for disabled communities. For Dustin Jones to navigate a new neighborhood in New York City, it takes some research. Jones, a disability rights advocate, uses a wheelchair, and he’s learned…

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The Promise and Peril of Smart Cities

The Promise and Peril of “Smart” Cities: Technology can help us govern better, but at what price to urban life? | City Journal

The Promise and Peril of “Smart” Cities Technology can help us govern better, but at what price to urban life? Technology can help us govern better, but at what price to urban life actual article chapter content Last year, American newspapers published more than 800 stories about “smart” cities. Readers could learn how municipal governments are deploying sophisticated technology to…

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