AI-generated summary
In less than 25 years, it is projected that 70% of the global population will live in cities, making sustainable urban planning and resilience crucial in addressing climate change impacts. NASA studies show an increase in people living in flood-prone areas, largely due to extreme weather events intensified by climate change, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Coastal megacities like New York, Mumbai, and Tokyo face rising threats from sea-level rise, heat waves, and heavy rainfall, while freshwater scarcity emerges as another critical challenge. Innovative infrastructure and water management strategies are urgently needed.
Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in disaster risk reduction and urban resilience. Early warning systems powered by AI can significantly reduce fatalities and economic losses by predicting extreme events and facilitating real-time alerts. AI models also help assess post-disaster damage, prioritize aid, and improve urban planning by identifying high-risk areas and guiding reforestation efforts. Smart city technologies, including sensor networks and real-time data analytics, optimize traffic, air quality, and infrastructure resilience. Cities like Copenhagen, Cape Town, and Rotterdam exemplify proactive climate-responsive planning through carbon neutrality goals, resilient infrastructure, and innovative flood protection measures. Ultimately, adapting cities to climate change demands integrated solutions combining technology, sustainable development, and broad collaboration among governments, businesses, researchers, and citizens to build safe, efficient, and climate-resilient urban environments.
Finding solutions to cope with the changing climate is imperative and urban environments use technology to adapt.
It is estimated that, in less than 25 years, 70% of the world’s population will reside in cities. Commit to sustainable urban planning and resilience of these densely inhabited spaces in the face of the impact of Climate change is a necessity where technological innovation and strategic planning can make a difference.
A NASA study It has revealed that the proportion of people living in flood-risk areas has increased from 20 to 24 percent since 2000, ten times more than previously estimated. This increase is directly related to extreme weather events, such as torrential rains, hurricanes and melting glaciers. In addition, populations in low- and middle-income countries They make up almost 90% of the 1.8 billion people vulnerableto flood risks.
Rising sea levels, heat waves, and heavy rainfall pose significant threats to many metropolises. Coastal cities such as New York, Miami, Mumbai, Shanghai, Barcelona, and Tokyo face increasing risks due to their geographic location and high population density. On the other hand, the Water scarcity is emerging as a crucial challenge that requires efficient infrastructures to manage water resources, something that David Sedlak, author of the concept of the ‘fourth water revolution’, addresses in his webinar for the Bankinter Innovation Foundation.
AI in the face of natural disasters
The Early warning systems have proven to be effective tools for mitigating flood risks, with WHO studies indicate that they can reduce fatalities by 43%. Reports of the UN and the The World Bank estimates that implementing these systems can reduce the economic impact of disasters by 35 to 50 percent. Rio de Janeiro has integrated data from early warning systems, traffic cameras, and weather reports into an emergency operations center, reducing the impact of extreme weather events and improving disaster response.
In fact, the use of artificial intelligence in these systems makes it possible to anticipate extreme events more accurately and facilitate the communication of alerts in real time. In addition, machine learning models analyze satellite imagery to assess post-disaster damage and prioritize assistance. An example is the DAHiTrA model, which classifies damage to buildings after natural disasters, providing critical information for decision-making in emergency situations.
Poor land management exacerbates the risks of natural disasters: uncontrolled urbanization and deforestation reduce the soil’s capacity to absorb water, increasing the risk of flooding. A study entitled Late-stage deforestation enhances storm trends in coastal West Africa showed how deforestation in West Africa has increased the frequency of storms in urban areas such as Freetown and Monrovia, where the risk of flooding has increased significantly.
Artificial intelligence can be key in mitigating these effects, providing tools to identify high-risk areas, develop reforestation strategies, and improve urban planning. The combination of different AI techniques, such as machine learning, makes it possible to analyze social media posts to detect disruptions in basic services and optimize emergency response.
Smart City Planning
Technology can also be an ally in the ordinary management and planning of cities, something that characterises smart cities. In particular, sensorization has become a key trend, since the Real-time data analytics makes it easier to implement measures such as intelligent traffic control and air quality monitoring.
Copenhagen, for example, has developed a plan to reach carbon neutrality this year. With nearly half of its population commuting daily, the city has demonstrated how urban planning and innovative use of technology can improve the quality of life for its citizens.
In South Africa, Cape Town has incorporated resilience as a compass for urban planning, prioritising infrastructure projects based on their ability to respond to climate needs. Similarly, Norfolk in the UK has invested in coastal flood protection, demonstrating that a Proactive planning can prevent disasters and reduce costs in the long run.
Many cities are adopting technological solutions to meet climate challenges. In New York, after Hurricane Sandy, retractable flood walls were installed under the FDR Highway to protect urban infrastructure. Rotterdam has developed floating offices designed to adapt to rising sea levels. Other solutions include green roofs and vertical gardens to reduce the urban heat island effect, carbon capture systems integrated into buildings, and pavements that absorbCO2, such as those implemented in Barcelona.
The Catalan city is also hosting the Smart City Expo World Congress, the leading global event in urban innovation, which in its latest edition has highlightedprecisely the importance of data integration and generative AI to optimise urban services, improve decision-making and manage resources efficiently.
Adapting cities to climate change requires a comprehensive approach that combines urban planning, technology and citizen participation. The cities of the future will have to invest in sustainable infrastructure, promote sustainable infrastructure, and promote sustainable development. efficient use of resources and adopt advanced technologies to anticipate and mitigate the effects of climate change. Collaboration between governments, businesses, researchers, and citizens will be essential to build urban environments prepared for the challenges ahead.
