ETH News

The rate of urbanisation in recent years has been astonishing. While present cities are highly unsustainable, they offer great opportunities for using resources more efficiently. The rapid growth and the huge environmental challenges account for the growing interest shown by universities in cities: the New Urban Science.

This week an exhibition in the ETH Main Building presents the work of the Singapore-based Future Cities Laboratory (FCL), showing projects ranging from technologies for sustainable construction, to improved concepts of urban design. A good time, therefore, to reflect upon the achievements of FCL, and ask whether it has all been worthwhile.

Air conditioning is one of the daily necessities and irritations of life in Singapore. Since cooling systems account for over a third of the electricity consumed in Singapore, using it very inefficiently, there is a clear need to improve them.

‘Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, have we got something to show you! Prepare to be impressed!’ With a nice touch of showmanship, Ian Smith, Principal Investigator at the Future Cities Lab (FCL), was presenting the Simulation Platform Research Module. For me, it was one of my first real experiences of FCL.