Walking is one of the most recommended physical activities by doctors, especially for those who do not engage in much exercise. However, doing so in the summer on the streets of cities, especially in their central areas, can be a dangerous task for certain groups. Who hasn't suddenly felt the effects of a heatstroke? The heat in cities is not only present in their central … [Read more...] about How to identify heat islands in cities? Discover URSA, the new intelligent software from the IDB
Big Data
URSA: A Tool to Guide Urban Planning with Satellite Data
The way our cities are designed and planned significantly impacts our quality of life. Whether we are aware of it or not, factors such as commute time, access to parks and green areas, availability of schools, and pedestrian zones all contribute to our well-being. So, why not leverage all available means to enhance our cities? At the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), we … [Read more...] about URSA: A Tool to Guide Urban Planning with Satellite Data
Monitoring the city with drones: Artificial Intelligence in environmental management
When we talk about artificial intelligence, we often think of it as a revolutionary and novel concept that has just arrived in our lives. However, this term was first used almost seventy years ago, in 1955 to be more precise, by John McCarthy in a workshop at Dartmouth University in the United States. Nevertheless, it is in the last decade that we have witnessed a true … [Read more...] about Monitoring the city with drones: Artificial Intelligence in environmental management
How can my city become a smart city?
In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), smart city projects are still in an initial stage and take the form of somewhat isolated initiatives. Although at first glance this may seem a problem, it is an opportunity, as it allows us to learn from the successes, and also from the mistakes, of other regions where these types of projects are more advanced. One of the countries … [Read more...] about How can my city become a smart city?
How can Artificial Intelligence give a voice to vulnerable populations?
It seems clear that the Covid-19 pandemic has created great challenges in the life and governance of our cities. However, these challenges are not the same for all the inhabitants of Latin America and the Caribbean. The pandemic has hit the most vulnerable in particular. A part of the population of our cities, which sometimes tends to be unnoticed, are migrants. Migrants … [Read more...] about How can Artificial Intelligence give a voice to vulnerable populations?