What if the main street of a city is pedestrianised, if the railway network is buried or if a new neighborhood is built? Until now, we have not been able to determine the precise consequences of such a public intervention. Soon, however, it will be unthinkable to make a decision in the real world without first testing it in the virtual environment.
Living alone, moving far from our usual place of residence, working remotely, or socializing more through social media and less by meeting for coffee are some of the realities reshaping our social and emotional relationships. These trends help explain, in part, the rise in mental health issues among both young and older adults. In this context, artificial intelligence is emerging as a source of companionship and a tool to address loneliness.
Genetic engineering has paved the way for a new generation of trees capable of capturing and storing more CO2 for longer. Recent techniques such as CRISPR-Cas and base editing enable the DNA of plants to be modified with great precision, improving their photosynthetic efficiency, accelerating their growth, and promoting the development of deeper roots that can store carbon in the soil for centuries.
Printing at home a broken washing machine part or a LEGO piece may become a reality in the coming decades. Since their emergence in the late 1980s, 3D printers have evolved to become one of the most promising technologies for manufacturing goods. Although it is still a relatively young technology, its application in sectors such as construction —in Japan, a 3D printed train station was built in less than six hours—, automotive, aerospace, pharmaceuticals and food is already enabling significant efficiency gains and greater product customisation.
Ecosystem insurance has emerged as an essential tool for financing the restoration of natural areas as extreme weather events increase in frequency and intensity. To date, most have focused on covering damage to reefs and mangroves as the tools to quantify the impact of severe weather events on these ecosystems are well developed.
For decades, cities have been expanding outward, taking up more and more space and in many cases merging beyond their administrative boundaries. In contrast to this trend, a different one has begun to develop: the inward growth of cities.
Every year, high temperatures and solar radiation cause the evaporation of millions of litres of water from Spanish reservoirs. Floating solar panels offer an innovative solution to limit this effect. By creating a layer of shade over the water, the panels reduce exposure to the sun and contribute to the conservation of this resource. Additionally, their location in aquatic environments improves their efficiency, as they operate at more stable temperatures and avoid dust accumulation, outperforming conventional panels on land.
Air travel in cities -so vividly depicted in films such as Blade Runner or Minority Report- is edging closer to becoming a part of everyday life in Spain.
In 2050, Spain is projected to be warmer, drier, and more prone to extreme climate events than it is today. Average temperatures will rise, rainfall will become less frequent but more intense, summers will grow longer, and droughts will increase in both frequency and severity. In response, the construction sector is already experimenting with innovative materials designed to enhance energy efficiency in buildings and help the housing stock adapt to the mounting challenges of climate change.