From personal helicopters to lift people out of Europe’s congested streets, to the latest electric vehicles, high-tech office designs, or smart electricity meters to cut energy consumption, our Science and the City issue looks at how cities can help solve Europe’s environmental and energy challenges.
We interview Anne Stenros, who led a group of experts that helped to develop the EU’s Capital of Innovation Award, to hear how cities can build an innovative culture from the grass roots, and we speak to those involved in a project to bring science centres, museums, and festivals to European cities to inspire a new generation of researchers.
Science graduates, museum staff and enthusiasts across Europe are sharing their passion for research by organising temporary exhibitions in shopping centres and parks to help inspire the next generation.
Dr Anne Stenros, who chaired a group of experts that helped formulate the concept of the EU’s Capital of Innovation (iCapital) competition and is also Design Director at Finnish lift-maker KONE, believes the EUR 500 000 award can help stimulate 'grass roots’ innovation through things like 3D printing and high-tech design.
A transatlantic initiative hopes to encourage more people to buy electric cars by developing a universal plug that would drive down the cost and make charging as easy as filling up at a gas station.
Commuters could be lifted out of the noise and pollution of Europe’s overcrowded cities thanks to a group of researchers who are laying down the groundwork for the development of a personal helicopter system as an alternative to land-based travel.
The people of Alginet, a small town in eastern Spain, are paying less for their electricity. Households reduced their electricity bills by an average of 12 % over 2012, while large, commercial consumers saved 58 %.