Overview

URBAN HUB is an interactive platform for people working on the future of cities and mobility.
We collect personal stories about urban landmarks and future ideas for the sustainable development of cities worldwide.

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Sustainability

Sustainability

Repurposing historic landmarks

10.10.2018

In our rapidly developing cities, buildings and other structures often outlive their original purpose – but not their usefulness. Through adaptive reuse, old factory buildings can be converted into profitable residential, office or commercial property, and highway bridges can become public spaces.

Sustainability

University and industry collaboration

18.07.2018

Instead of industries and universities competing, increasingly they work together. Prof. Denkena, IWF at University of Hannover, and Dr. Meier, thyssenkrupp Elevator, discuss cooperation and what needs to change to create and transfer knowledge in an era of rapid developments and new technologies.

Sustainability

University and corporate collaborations

13.06.2018

The mission of a university may differ from that of a company. In recent years, however, mutual benefits have become apparent to both. Universities offer their knowledge, expertise, and access to students, while businesses offer funding as well as real-world business experience and contacts.

Sustainability

Monica Miller Brown talks sustainability

05.06.2018

Today we demand clean air, clean water, and clean buildings. And the building industry is making up for lost time – waking up to the need for greater transparency and sustainability in its practices. Monica Miller Brown, a leader in sustainable design, shares her insights and hopes.

Sustainability

Copenhagen energy efficiency summit

22.05.2018

The Energy Efficiency Global Forum is a top event in the field of sustainability. It brings together high-level people from business, government, and academia for two days of intense dialogue and mobilization. This year, EE Global meets in Copenhagen. The theme: Innovation, Investment, Impact.

Sustainability

Ensuring the future is green – Environmental sustainable development draws on concepts of little waste, lower consumption and switching to green, environmentally-sustainable resources like solar and wind or materials which can constantly be up-cycled.

Technology

Technology

Ten amazing technological advances

28.11.2019

The world moves at a fast pace thanks to some incredible technological advances that enabled the development of a long line of innovations. From electricity to computers: URBAN HUB looks at ten technological advances transforming the way we live today and in the future.

Technology

VR and the future

20.11.2019

You find yourself walking around inside a building. It’s a pleasant space, but you don’t like the way the walls and ceiling curve inward in the hallway. You change the colors, then the shape, until you feel comfortable in the space. It’s easy to do because none of it is real: it’s all in VR.

Technology

Robots on the rise

07.11.2019

In recent years, robots have evolved from being stationary high-tech helpers in factories to become mobile connections between people, places, and things. That connection is going to become stronger now that a key obstacle to mobile robotic service has been solved. Robots can now use the elevator.

Technology

The Elevator Service Hotline

16.10.2019

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be stuck in an elevator? URBAN HUB has good news for you. It’s not so bad, especially if you’ve got the thyssenkrupp Elevator Service24-Center on the line. A mix of teamwork and cool heads helps passengers feel they are in good hands.

Technology

Designing better airport arrivals

08.10.2019

You arrive at your destination airport. Maybe it’s your first time there. Maybe you’ve got a business meeting to attend or a connection to make. In any case, you want a smooth arrival process so you can get on with the things you need to do. Luckily, new technologies and designs help you do that.

Technology

Using fewer resources for bigger change – What makes the world go around? Innovative technology. And in mobility, building, energy and manufacturing, especially green innovations are changing how people interact with and shape their environment.

Buildings

Buildings

Buildings inspired by reality

18.12.2019

Mimetic architecture is when a structure mimics something like a real object. These ten buildings all look like something else: from a fish building to a blooming lotus. There’s no need to squint or tilt your head to the side. These architects took their sources of inspiration very literally.

Buildings

Matching elevators to buildings

05.12.2019

How do architects and builders find the “perfect” elevator solution for a mid-rise office building vs. a supertall, mixed-use skyscraper? They get help from experts who know the options. Two specialists from thyssenkrupp Elevator, Andreas Schmidt and Sushanthan Somasundaram, offer their insight.

Buildings

Most anticipated buildings 2019

24.10.2019

The race is on, not only to build the tallest building in the world or in a particular hemisphere but to capture attention. Cutting-edge design, the best technology, and new concepts compete to turn a project into the next “star” building. URBAN HUB picks ten buildings turning heads in 2019.

Buildings

Videos show the way

15.08.2019

The huge number of videos and films now available confirms their place as a key medium of knowledge transmission. Videos can often explain something faster and more clearly than mere words, and architects and planners are using them creatively to illustrate the future of buildings and cities.

Buildings

Striking, inviting concert halls

01.08.2019

Cities thrive on their cultural offerings. Not only do they enhance the quality of life for residents, but they also attract visitors. Making culture accessible to everyone isn’t always easy though. URBAN HUB looks at ten stunning concert halls that truly open the doors of culture to all.

Buildings

Beacons of urban sustainability – Today’s urban city planning creates future beacons for cities which convey the new messages of sustainability, green choices and living responsibly.

Cities

Cities

Lunar New Year celebrations

21.01.2020

The Lunar New Year follows an ancient calendar that combines lunar and solar elements and uses a repeating 60-year cycle based on elements of Asian astrology and philosophy. It is a time to celebrate and to travel. URBAN HUB looks at some spectacular celebrations around the world.

Cities

London builds its future

15.01.2020

London has been on a course of transformation for at least a decade and shows no signs of slowing. Never before in its history has London seen such record-breaking levels of construction. URBAN HUB looks at some of the buildings and projects set to change the look and feel of London.

Cities

Future-ready urban resilience

03.01.2020

The future is urban but is it safe in the long-term? As cities look to bolster their infrastructure against a rising tide of natural disasters, the concept of urban resilience is growing in popularity. URBAN HUB looks at what builds effective urban resilience, protecting lives and quality of life.

Cities

Top New Year’s destinations

09.12.2019

For many, cities are the best places to celebrate New Year’s. But with so many great cities to choose from, which are the best choices for combining an exciting trip with a great New Year’s bash?

Cities

Ancient cities, modern insights

13.11.2019

People have been attracted to cities for hundreds of years: they offer safety, shorter walking distances, and greater social interaction. By looking at ancient cities, we see that they were, in many cases, not that different to what modern urban developers believe cities should be.

Cities

Smart inside and out – In many ways, the smart city concept is simply good urban planning that incorporates both advances in digital technology and new thinking in the age-old city concepts of relationships, community, environmental sustainability, participatory democracy, good governance and transparency.

Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency

Urban microclimates inspire change

04.01.2019

Microclimates are commonly found in nature. In cities, though, they are often seen as an unintended and undesirable consequence of urbanization – heat islands are the best known of these. But a new push in planning is changing how we think about urban microclimates, and what we do with them.

Energy Efficiency

Climate-proofing coastal cities

01.03.2018

Most of the world’s megacities are located on coasts. Powerful storms put them all at risk of flooding, and extreme weather is only expected to become more common and severe. Meanwhile, sea levels are rising. So what kinds of coastal protection solutions are being tested? URBAN HUB takes a look.

Energy Efficiency

Heating things up sustainably

11.01.2018

Many colder countries consume more energy for heating than for electrical power, so it should come as no surprise that the ongoing global concern with energy efficiency and environmental sustainability should be driving new trends in keeping people warm. URBAN HUB is hot on the trail…

Energy Efficiency

Mega projects and the environment

25.10.2017

The mega project sometimes brings to mind construction that leaves behind damage along with the gains. Recent massive infrastructures have learned from past mistakes and now focus on an environmentally-friendly impact through better planning and technology and putting the planet first.

Energy Efficiency

Policy change saves energy

14.09.2017

How can NGOs effectively lobby for energy efficiency? Through education and outreach or activism? The Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) focuses on policy change and partners with industry thought leaders who provide them with know-how and real-life examples of the benefits of energy efficiency.

Energy Efficiency

Keeping the energy in and waste out – Energy efficiency combines educating people about consumption with new, improved, and green building construction that reduces an urban center’s environmental footprint.

Energy Efficiency

Smart Mobility

Smart Mobility

Rediscovering train stations

08.01.2020

Because of growing environmental concerns – and clogged roads, poor parking, and airport queues – train travel is back on track as a leading mobility solution. As a result, many central train stations are being radically modernized to better perform their natural roles as essential urban hubs.

Smart Mobility

Heavy-duty escalator beauties

09.08.2019

In an age that raises the bar on mobility solutions for urban residents with solutions ranging from self-driving taxis to e-scooters, one stalwart continues to keep people moving: the escalator. URBAN HUB looks at ten high-traffic escalators that urbanites rely on to rise to the occasion.

Smart Mobility

Next level urban mobility

23.07.2019

As the world’s population increasingly settles in metropolises, urban public transportation needs a plan. Many mobility innovators are disrupting how we think about commuting in cities. Successful solutions will thrive on offering choices, many of them networked, electric, and shared.

Smart Mobility

Futuristic transportation for cities

26.06.2019

Just as standardized containers revolutionized freight transport, a revolution in passenger transportation is coming. Futuristic solutions already in development will define urban mobility in the years ahead, especially if they can all work together to provide a seamless, stress-free user experience.

Smart Mobility

Unusual urban pathways

05.06.2019

Urban planners and architects can’t afford to take a single square meter of urban space for granted. Not only can buildings and parks innovate and changes urban spaces, but also new ideas for sidewalks and bike paths. URBAN HUB sets out to investigate unusual pathways.

Smart Mobility

Keeps people moving to better solutions – People fed up with congested cities, are innovating smart mobility with new mobile technologies and intuitive apps which integrate public transportation, better infrastructure, and car sharing.

Urban Lifestyle

Urban Lifestyle

U.S. and urban construction

28.10.2019

Dozens of cities across the U.S. seem to be in a race to build the next headline-grabbing building. Not just taller, but more innovative, striking, and sustainable. As U.S. urban populations boom, so does construction and new urban mobility solutions. URBAN HUB takes a closer look.

Urban Lifestyle

Pop-ups go mainstream

04.10.2019

What started as a simple idea in the Middle Ages has mutated into everything from neighborhood empowerment, disaster relief, a guerrilla tactic for repurposing urban space, and corporate brand activation. Are pop-ups the panacea for what ails cities, or simply a symptom of shorter attention spans?

Urban Lifestyle

Reinventing urban libraries

23.05.2019

Public libraries contribute significantly to urban life, offering everything from educational and vocational resources to free recreational and social space for everyone. As times change, urban libraries are reinventing themselves to better meet both the traditional and new needs of urban citizens.

Urban Lifestyle

Top urban ski spots

24.01.2019

Picking a destination for a holiday or break can feel like a hard choice. In the winter, many people would like to combine some invigorating cold-weather athletics with the thrill of experiencing a new city. Never fear: Many great urban venues also offer easy access to the joys of downhill skiing.

Urban Lifestyle

The Hanging City

13.12.2018

Kostas Poulopoulos, founder of SquareOne architects (Copenhagen, Denmark), discusses his vision of the Hanging City – interconnected buildings that offer massive horizontal urban realms in the sky, providing new paths to physical and social connectivity among the integrated buildings.

Urban Lifestyle

An urban lifestyle for the future – By first recognizing the impact of our city lifestyles, we can pave the path for sustainable economic development and a brighter, greener future.

Urban Lifestyle

Urbanization

Urbanization

Mega city real estate

29.05.2019

Rising real estate prices benefit the economy, yet an unchecked boom also leads to unwanted side effects. For some, rising prices simply translate into profits, others see the pitfalls of an unchecked housing market boom. URBAN HUB takes a look at how cities can find a healthy balance.

Urbanization

Jess Zimbabwe: urban leadership

29.11.2018

Cities are made up of buildings and the people who use or encounter these buildings. Naturally, private developers want profits, residents want quality of life, and everybody wants a good economy. Government leaders try to balance these needs. Jess Zimbabwe and the Rose Center help them.

Urbanization

Ben Hammersley: surviving megatrends

20.04.2018

What challenges does the future hold for us, and how can we overcome them? In the second part of the URBAN HUB interview with noted futurist Ben Hammersley, he discusses the testing times awaiting us because of current megatrends, and some strategies for coping and thriving in the world of tomorrow.

Urbanization

Urban planning from above

05.04.2018

The point of urban planning depends on the era, the decision-makers, geography, technology and many other factors. Just as drawings and maps help us to navigate places or understand things, so too do photographs. Particularly aerial photos help us to see the bigger picture of city planning.

Urbanization

Megatrends – with Ben Hammersley

26.03.2018

Popular, personable and provocative, futurist Ben Hammersley is in high demand around the world, as businesses and government grapple with the uncertainties of the digital future. In an exclusive interview, URBAN HUB talks with Ben about the megatrends that are already propelling us into the future.

Urbanization

Our cities, our future – Urbanization, a trend which shows no signs of abating, will remarkably change the way we live, work, and interact in our communities.