Livable Megacities

Scenario 2020: Talk of the Town
It’s June 2020. Municipal manager John Gardiner is explaining to a visiting student how he has improved the quality of life in his urban neighborhood while cutting energy consumption in half
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Trends: Lights and Dreams
Megacities are like magnets. Although their infrastructures are often inadequate and their populations face huge challenges, they are still regarded as the places where dreams come true
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Experiencing Megacities In New Ways
Interview with Harald Mieg and Christian Hoffmann livable cities
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Facts and Forecasts: What People Think of Cities
In a Siemens-sponsored research project, decisionmakers from 25 of the world’s largest cities have for the first time provided detailed information on today’s most pressing urban problems, and the outlook for the future
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Brazil: Supercity Solutions
São Paulo is South America’s No. 1 metropolis. But the city’s size also with it tremendous challenges in terms of water supply, power supply and transportation. Siemens is providing solutions for virtually all of the city’s major infrastructures
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Buses and Clean Water
Interview with Jaime Lerner, former mayor of Curitiba
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Curitiba: Cutting Traffic by 30 %
Compared to São Paulo, the city of Curitiba (three million inhabitants) is an almost tranquil village—and an example of a city that’s in tune with the environment
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Moscow and St. Petersburg: Tale of Two Cities
Old and new high-rises characterize the frenetic boomtown that Moscow has become. St. Petersburg, on the other hand, is more relaxed and cultivates its historic image. But Russia’s two biggest cities have much in common: increasing traffic and overextended electricity networks. Municipal authorities are increasingly relying on Siemens technologies to provide solutions
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Chicago: My Kind of Metropolis
Chicago was once the commercial center of an aspiring U.S. But it later fell behind Los Angeles and New York. Now, the city is rapidly regaining its past glory as a progressive and dynamic city in the heart of America. The metropolis on Lake Michigan offers a high quality of life and is one of the safest cities in the U.S.
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Security: Eyes on Everything
A city’s reputation depends largely on whether residents and visitors feel safe. Siemens offers solutions that range from intelligent video surveillance of public spaces and subway system to worldwide container tracking for major ports
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London: Building a Better Life in the City
Bankers, scientists, artists—London attracts skilled and talented people from all over the world. But expansion of the city’s infrastructure has not always kept up with the rapid growth in population. Siemens technology is now helping Europe’s biggest city make better use of existing infrastructures
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Noise Prevention: The Color of Quiet
Excessive noise is a problem all over the world. Noise in cities not only can lead to stress, but can actually make people ill. That’s why Siemens strives to keep the noise levels of its products for cars, trains and even entire power plants as low as possible
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Lighting: Let There Be Light
Light-emitting diodes and luminescent plastics are changing the way cities are lit. These innovative sources of light, which are economical, efficient and long-lasting, will illuminate our days and nights in new ways. For example, they will be used as guidance elements in sidewalks, as displays, as virtual sunlight in offices, as transparent room dividers, and as illuminated wallpaper and ceilings in homes
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Light: A Spectrum of Applications
Osram hat in der Studie Picture of the Lighting Future untersucht, welche Trends, Technologien und Kundenbedürfnisse die Märkte für Beleuchtung in zehn bis 15 Jahren prägen werden. Neben dem globalen Trend zur Nachhaltigkeit sehen die Forscher insbesondere völlig neuartige Lichtquellen und Einsatzgebiete voraus
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A Day in the Year 2020
Lighting scenario of the near future
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Navigation Systems: Pocket Navigator
Researchers at Siemens VDO Automotive and Siemens Corporate Technology are helping people to navigate unfamiliar cities more efficiently, whether by car or on foot—while providing them with a constant flow of updated information
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e-Government: A Door that’s Always Open
More and more public authorities are providing e-government services. Such services reduce costs, improve efficiency and make cities and states more attractive to businesses and citizens. Siemens offers a full range of IT solutions
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Telemedicine: Happy Fish – Healthy Patients
So-called diseases of civilization, such as diabetes and heart ailments, are on the rise, especially in cities. Telemedicine solutions and Internet-based information platforms can help patients stay out of the hospital
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Household Appliances: Home Smart Home
Even with rapidly advancing technology, housework will still be part of everyday life in the future. With smart appliances, however, household chores will be much easier. Innovations from Siemens help to save energy and protect the environment
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In Brief
Developments, contacts, links, literature
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