Page 113 - A History of the World in 25 Cities

Building reliable, cheap and energy-efficient public transport means people will be less likely to make journeys by petrol- and diesel-fuelled cars. Electric cars will eventually take over from cars that burn fossil fuels. However, buses and trains still use much less fuel than people travelling in individual cars.
Cities can be made much more energy-efficient by using smart technology for buildings and public spaces – for example, installing streetlights that only light up when there are people around or escalators that only start moving once people step on board.
Perhaps in the future city dwellers will get to school or work using solar- powered jetpacks or super-efficient smart pods. Perhaps animals will be allowed to make their homes on specially designed plant-covered buildings. With care and patience, the cities of the future could help make tomorrow better, cleaner, greener and more inclusive.
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