Inspiring reads and podcasts: Our summer selection

Cécile's advice, Assistant & Project Manager

« I discovered this series of podcasts (in English) thanks to one of our continuing education alumni. In each new episode, Tamlyn Shimizu from Bable Smart Cities sets foot in a new city and proposes a discussion with frontline territorial experts from all sectors on various subjects such as mobility, energy, waste management, technology, collaboration between actors, etc. During these 30-minute exchanges, they share their opinions, their vision of the Smart City, but also their success stories and the difficulties encountered in their daily work. The little extra: A transcript and a summary are available for each episode. »

Pauline's advice, communication officer

« Our little acts for the environment, do they really help? What is the impact of our online purchases on the planet? Why don't we replace all plastic with glass? These are some of the questions that we all probably have an opinion on and that you have probably already discussed with your friend/colleagues, but for which it is not always easy to find a clear and definitive answer. In L'enver(t) du décor, the journalists try to tackle these questions (and many others) from every angle to help you see them more clearly! 
 
As you can see, this podcast is about the environment. Each programme examines in detail the answers to a specific question - large or small - and concrete. All of this is presented in an accessible, popularised and entertaining format (about twenty minutes). A good way to familiarise yourself with this vast subject and to get some answers to adapt your behaviour! What we like about this podcast: the tone used, both relaxed and dynamic. On a more practical side, it is available on a large number of platforms: Apple Podcast/iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Podcast Addictive, Google Podcast, etc. »

Charlotte's advice, Assistant

« This is a book that I found particularly inspiring and relevant in the context of my research on the circular economy. Faced with an increasingly dysfunctional economic system, Kate Raworth proposes a new vision of the economy, one that is fairer and more sustainable, and which should enable us to meet the major challenges of the 21st century by introducing, in addition to the classic concepts of growth, markets and economic agents, the human factor and environmental concerns at the heart of the debate. As the Dygest.co team explains, this book "provides a framework, a point of convergence for many works on sustainable development or ecological transition.
 
I therefore recommend this reading because I believe it is a book that concerns us all, and which proposes alternatives for a better world. It allows us to get out of our agreed principles and paradigms for too long. A very refreshing and thought-provoking read that I really recommend. Finally, the little plus: the rarely technical vocabulary, and the numerous examples.»

Audrey's advice, Researcher

« It was during the writing phase of our Smart City Practical Handbook #6 (editor's note: currently being finalised) that I discovered this particularly inspiring 40-page guide (in English). Through it, the Bloomberg Associates team lists a series of key areas important for the effective launch and implementation of partnership projects. The strength of this guide, in my opinion, is that it provides a clear structure and recommendations, as well as advice with many examples. I would recommend it to any territory wishing to strengthen their collaboration to creatively address their needs and challenges.»

Giovanni's advice, Senior researcher

« I recently read this very interesting scientific article in the context of my research. It highlights the lack of conceptual clarity around the link between the term "Smart City" and the concept of sustainability. Through this article, the researchers propose an exhaustive literature review with no less than 43 definitions (!) evaluated according to the dimensions of sustainability they consider (environmental, economic or social) and the priority they give to the sustainability factor.
 
I recommend this reading because it allows to discover which factors are recurrent and common between all the existing definitions and thus to better understand which are the key aspects of a sustainable and smart city from a conceptual point of view. Another interesting point is that the article also identifies the main differences between the definition of a "Smart City" and that of a "sustainable and smart city". Finally, the bonus: this article is available in open source! » 

Nicolas' advice, Researcher and project manager

« At first glance, the link between urban agriculture and Smart Cities may not always be easy to understand. However, on closer inspection, the positive externalities are legion, and contribute to making the city more intelligent and sustainable. The comic book I propose in the first article offers an insight into the world of urban micro-farms and their usefulness for our cities, in a brief and very visual format. As for the second article I selected, it explores the question of the sanitary quality of rooftop crops in an urban environment, based on the study of ten vegetable gardens installed in the Paris region. I recommend these two articles (in French) as a way of approaching the world of urban agriculture and written by scientists in a style that is perfectly accessible to everyone. »

Julie's advice, project manager

« Finding everything that is essential close to home, within a 15-minute walk. This is the principle proposed by Carlos Moreno through his concept of the quarter-hour city. 

In this book, Carlos Moreno, a professor and recognized expert in the field of future territories, attempts to reverse the relationship between the concepts of density and distance that we find in our cities today. This is an interesting way of reviewing equity in urban space. Furthermore, the author also questions how to integrate climate change into the debate. 

This interesting reading echoed some of the work I observed at the MIT Media Lab during my visit to Boston in 2017 (CityScope project). This work, moreover, is the subject of more in-depth research today in the framework of the quarter-hour city, proof that Carlos Moreno's book is an essential read for rethinking the urban space of tomorrow.»