Dans le cadre de notre programme de bourses 2023, le billet de Monica Sanchez explore la façon dont la révolution automobile du XXe siècle a transformé les villes, compromettant les conceptions urbaines centrées sur les piétons et provoquant des effets néfastes sur les espaces publics et la sécurité.
The rise of automobiles in the 20th century revolutionized transportation, but also reshaped the urban landscape. As cities expanded to accommodate cars, traditional pedestrian-centric urban designs were compromised. Wide roads, sprawling parking lots, and traffic-centric planning became the norm, often at the expense of public spaces and the safety of non-motorized road users.
It can be said that the current city is not designed for pedestrians, or better said the city of the past was not built for cars and has had to "adapt" to them, harming pedestrians, cyclists, or users of public transport. Sidewalks narrowed, crosswalks became unsafe, and the quality of public spaces diminished. The consequences include increased traffic accidents, reduced physical activity in the population, air pollution, and a less vibrant urban environment.
In this rapidly evolving landscape of urbanization, the quest for optimizing urban mobility has become a paramount concern for city planners and policymakers. The proliferation of digital technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) has opened up new avenues for improving urban security parameters thus enhancing the efficiency of urban mobility.
The challenges of urban mobility are manifold and growing, presenting an ever-pressing need for innovative solutions. Rapid urbanization, driven by population growth and rural-to-urban migration, has exacerbated these challenges. As our cities increase in size and population, several critical issues have emerged:
Digitalization in cities involves the collection, processing, and analysis of data from various sources within the urban environment. When applied to security parameters, such as surveillance cameras, traffic sensors, and emergency response systems, it enables cities to create a comprehensive situational awareness framework.
Some key aspects of how digitalization can optimize urban mobility:
While the digitalization of urban security parameters offers immense potential, it also presents some challenges. Privacy concerns, data security, and the need for robust infrastructure are critical considerations. Moreover, cities must ensure that these technologies benefit all residents and do not exacerbate existing inequalities.
The digitalization of urban security parameters is a promising tool for optimizing urban mobility in the 21st century. By harnessing the power of data and technology, cities can transform their transportation systems, making them more efficient, safe, and sustainable. However, it is essential to address privacy and security concerns while ensuring that these innovations benefit all members of the community. As cities continue to grow, digitalization will play a central role in shaping the future of urban mobility.