As part of European plans for smart, healthy and sustainable cities, the ICARUS project (Integrating Climate Forcing and Air Pollution Reduction in Urban Systems) invites industry experts and the general public to have their say on using tech and creating policies to reduce the carbon footprint in cities.
To help achieve this aim, a grant of over £340,000 has been given to Professor Clive Sabel (pictured left) from the University of Bristol’s School of Geographical Science and the Cabot Institute to create a close to zero or negative carbon vision of the city.
“By asking locals to respond to their physical and social environment, the project puts citizens at the heart of the decision-making for their city”
Professor Sabel wants as many locals to get involved as possible, and tell them what they would like to see in the future of their city. As he tells us: “By asking locals to respond to their physical and social environment, the project puts citizens at the heart of the decision-making for their city.” He hopes the outcome will create more liveable and happier cities across Europe.
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Research begins by asking local communities for feedback about their carbon choices, while key players and stakeholders are invited to come up with different solutions to lower carbon emissions. Using atmospheric models and other technology they can make a guess at how the these solutions could work out in the future.
Get involved
The public can share their views using an app (to be created) that will explain the impact of the choices they make, and give feedback about the choices of their community on the environment and quality of life.
“ICARUS cements Bristol’s world-leading expertise in smart cities, sensors, air pollution and health impacts”
ICARUS is funded by Horizon 2020,‘the biggest EU research and innovation programme ever’. Horizon 2020’s total fund of about £5,100,000 is to be spent across the participating European cities. So far, Bristol has been given the 3rd largest amount. As Professor Sabel tells us, “ICARUS cements Bristol’s world-leading expertise in smart cities, sensors, air pollution and health impacts.”
The results from Bristol will be used as a case study across Europe.
You can click here to learn more about the ICARUS project. Or, follow on twitter @cabotinstitute
