May 17 2024 36 mins
By 2050, 70% of the world’s population is projected to live in cities.
We will evolve into an increasingly urban economy. Urban centers will adapt and evolve to meet the needs of their growing populations.
Urbanization can lead to 1) economic growth, 2) improved living standards, and 3) cultural diversity. Some key stats about the rise of the urban populations:
The world’s urban population has been rising almost six-fold since 1950, from 751 million to 4.4 billion today. This trend is expected to continue, with the urban population more than doubling its current size by 20502.
Now, More than 56% of the world’s population now lives in urban areas.
Increased migration to urban centres can pose other challenges: accelerated demand for affordable housing with risks of overcrowding, pollution, rising conflicts and social inequality.
This calls for sustainable development to build viable infrastructures, transport systems, basic services, job opportunities to ensure that cities are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Enter Intelligent City, based out of Vancouver, Canada, and founded in 2008 with a mission to empower people to live better urban lives. This is a company that aims to streamline construction processes and standardize housing, in an effort to create a commercializeable and sustainable alternative.
We have the pleasure of speaking to Oliver Lang, Chief Executive Officer and Cofounder, and OD Krieg, Chief Technology Officer to discuss the future of increased urbanization and how Intelligent City is navigating this challenge as the world urgently moves towards more sustainable practices.