How long are we going to need that city, asks Luke - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

In Aurecon’s latest Just Imagine blog post, Luke Beirne argues that that as technology advances and the nature of workplaces and jobs radically change, and fewer jobs require a physical presence, the need for people to continue flocking to cities could diminish. 

Counter-urbanisation might just be the way for both developed and developing countries to create sustainable solutions that take the pressure off cities, while also improving the lives of their citizens.

At an altitude of 4 830 metres on the Everest Base Camp Trek, guess what you can find? WiFi access. Which means you can work, Facetime your loved ones, or Instagram your Everest selfies. By dispensing with the need for a physical presence, technology has made it possible to communicate, share and work remotely in some of the most isolated locations on Earth.

For centuries, people have gravitated towards the bright lights and busy streets of cities to make their mark on the world. But what if the skylines of London, New York, Tokyo, Sydney and Johannesburg made way for the open landscapes, quiet streets and chirping birds found in the rural towns of their countries?

As technology advances and the nature of workplaces and jobs radically change, and fewer jobs require a physical presence, the need for people to continue flocking to cities could diminish. Could we see the start of counter-urbanisation with the world’s population increasingly living rurally instead of in cities? Could this be the answer to the monumental task faced by cities under enormous pressure from population growth, urbanisation and climate change?

Admin/GEE

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Feud over dog meat festival

NaijaAgroNet:

For the city of Yulin in China reputed for its dog meat festival, some dogs are stolen from their owners and beaten or bled to death, reports NaijaAgroNet.

It was also gathered that these dogs are hung upside down from hooks, a slit cut from their anus and skin ripped off their bodies, and sold to be eaten. 
NaijaAgroNet reports that the suffering must be unbearable following a new research which shows that in terms of emotion, dogs' brains are much like ours, something dog owners and lovers understand well.

A petition to the Chinese government by Rewan Al-Haddad made available to NaijaAgroNet at Avaaz, the petitioners said that when “we see dogs for what they are living beings with thoughts and feelings the torture they endure at this ‘festival' becomes inexcusable.”

Already thousands of Chinese citizens have spoken out against the festival, but authorities won’t act until they see how badly it’s hurting China’s global image, which they’ve been working hard to improve.

“That’s where we come in. Let’s show the Chinese government that the world cares about this puppy slaughter and wants them to stop it immediately!” part of the petition read.

According to Avaaz, “When our numbers are great enough, we will take out ads, work with influential celebrities, run the first independent national poll on dog-eating in China, and put this issue on front pages everywhere until Chinese authorities act.”

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