A city has garnered a lot of attention after making an unusual decision: to transform its streets to protect pedestrians too engrossed in their phones. All the details can be found in this article!
The “smombies,” pedestrians glued to their phones
Today, smartphones are omnipresent in our daily lives, to the extent that they alter our behaviors in public. The term “smombies”, which is a blend of “zombie” and “smartphone”, refers to pedestrians who walk with their eyes glued to their screens, oblivious to their surroundings.
This phenomenon emerged about a decade ago and has become a common reality in streets across the globe. Sometimes, the consequences can be severe. In South Korea, for example, 61% of road accidents involve pedestrians distracted by their phones.
This city redesigns its streets to protect pedestrians
In response to this situation, some cities are taking proactive measures. In Seoul, for example, traffic lights have been installed on the ground to alert pedestrians engrossed in their screens. This simple solution evidences a commitment to adapting public space to the new realities of our world. However, the city of Chongqing, in China, has taken the idea even further.
Chongqing has decided to create pedestrian pathways exclusively for “smombies”. These designated lanes help to separate distracted pedestrians from other users, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.
However, these initiatives raise ethical questions. Should we encourage this behavior by integrating it into urban planning? According to Hubert Beroche, founder of Urban AI, it is primarily about dealing with an unavoidable reality. The fact is, cities of tomorrow will need to find a balance between safety, innovation, and individual freedoms. What do you think?
