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Among the benefits it is worth mentioning :
• Reduction of stress

Reducing urban transport, switching to electric vehicles and less light pollution can
have a positive impact on our mood and reduce stress, which affects our mental health
and performance.

• Reduction in pollution

More greenery and trees in cities will lead to better air quality. Trees can retain up to
5.4 metric tons of CO2 and 20kg of dust a year. Pollution on the other hand contributes
to many diseases such as asthma and chronic coughs.

• Education in biodiversity
Introducing activities such as urban farming or setting up urban beehives can also
support educational activities. They will enable more people to learn about
biodiversity and relationships in the land of animals and plants.

• Better rainwater management

Saving more water, storing rainwater, preventing leaks are measures that also support
cost savings. Using these resources to water urban gardens can be positive not only
for flowers and the planet, but also for taxpayers' pockets.

• To cool cities

The use of plants in urban extensions helps to reduce temperatures in cities, where
the heated asphalt increases the feeling of heat. This will avoid many diseases resulting
from dehydration.

2.2. How does technology support this process?

Technology is a driver of change. However, it is up to us how we use it. There is a growing voice
for Industry 4.0 and its components such as drones, AI, AR, VR, IoT, Edge computing, 3D printing
and much more. But what is their role in creating more sustainable cities?

These technologies used and developed by companies, incubators and start-ups are even
revolutionary for the organisation of cities better adapted to climate change and allowing to
limit the damage caused by human activity in this matter.

It is worth presenting here some of these technologies and the ways in which they are changing
the reality around us.

Smart solutions can improve a lot of different aspects of quality of our lives:

• Cost of living;

3 PAYSALIA. (April 8, 2018). IMPROVING AIR QUALITY THROUGH A GREENER, MORE SUSTAINABLE URBANISM.
Retrieved from: https://www.paysalia.com/en/blog/green-city/green-urbanism-air-quality

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.