The Digital City: Smart, Sustainable, and Resilient Urban Futures!
An insightful session for our CAS ETH in Future of Spatial Development at the Design++, ETH Zurich LAB, where experts shared their latest research and ideas on what makes a city truly “smart.” Hosted by Future Cities Laboratory Global (FCL), a global research initiative at ETH Zürich and the Singapore-ETH Centre.
Here’s a quick recap of the key takeaways from our distinguished speakers:
1. Dr. Nicolo' Guariento – The Role of Digital Twins in Urban Resilience
Nicolò Guariento introduced us to digital twins, the "digital doppelgängers" of our cities, which allow us to simulate and prepare for scenarios like floods or infrastructure stress. With these real-time models, we can conduct ‘what-if’ scenarios, optimizing urban resilience and enhancing data-driven decision-making. A fascinating insight from his talk was how digital twins help break down silos, fostering a more interconnected urban ecosystem.
2. Dr. Christoph Waibel – Powering the City through Photovoltaics
Dr. Waibel’s session emphasized the potential of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) in cities. In cities like Singapore, facade-mounted solar panels can generate significant energy. BIPV on building facades could meet up to 30% of Singapore's electricity demand! This shows how much energy cities could generate if we rethink our building surfaces.
3. Dr. Philipp Urech – Transforming Landscapes with High-Resolution Modeling
Dr. Urech explored how point cloud modeling and LiDAR technology can transform landscape design by offering incredibly precise topographic data. His work emphasizes the “Science-Design Loop,” which bridges scientific analysis and design, creating resilient, blue-green urban landscapes. The ability to iteratively model and test landscapes digitally opens up new possibilities for adaptive, eco-friendly urban spaces.
4. Dr Ranjith Soman – What Makes a City “Smart”?
Dr. Soman discussed the concept of smart cities as a harmonious blend of technology, infrastructure, and citizen engagement, focusing on sustainability, environmental management, and public safety. He highlighted that "smart" doesn't always mean "digital"—it's about integrating technology to improve urban living sustainably. This approach moves cities beyond mere digitalization toward human-centered design.