N22 : Twenty-second lesson S00-TITLE : The city of the future S01 : With UK cities expanding at an alarming rate and gobbling up smaller towns and villages, S02 : much thought has been given to urban living and to the future shape of built-up environments. S03 : Key stakeholders are addressing issues such as sustainability, eco-conscious design and energy efficiency S04 : alongside more bread-and-butter matters such as crime and the safety, security and wellbeing of city dwellers. S05 : But existing cities also have to compete with each other for ever dwindling resources, be they financial, human or intangible. S06 : Not all cities have the means to prosper, whether for geographical, historical or financial reasons. S07 : Others have such economic or political clout that when they sneeze, the rest of Britain catches cold. S08 : Planners and city managers are for ever on the lookout for ways to "brand" their product S09 : and to develop their Unique Selling Proposition that will draw in businesses, talent or even simply tourism. S10 : For example, a major retail or cultural facility or a historical monument can swiftly put a city on the map. S11 : Other places make their mark by being a transport hub or a gateway to other areas of the country. S12 : So cities with fewer jobs and less opportunity will have to come to terms with the fact that S13 : in order to survive they will have to pool their resources and forge links with neighbours, possibly merging with them. S14 : One way of laying the groundwork for the city of the future is to leverage trendsetting technologies. S15 : Tools such as e-government and innovative consumer-focused solutions are already commonplace S16 : and a whole new breed of electronically delivered services are waiting in the wings. S17 : But a forward-looking approach to harnessing these innovations is needed if they are to live up to their promise. S18 : A case in point is the smart home, which interacts with its occupants and keeps them safe and well. S19 : We are all going to be able to live longer and healthier lives thanks to the awesome power of technology. S20 : However, as an eminent scientist said recently when presenting a paper at an international gathering of designers: S21 : "For the time being, my smart home feels remarkably thick. All the elements have to be pulled together if they are to work seamlessly." S22 : Sometimes, the future seems a long way off! T00-TRANSLATE : Exercise: Translate T01 : Our university is attracting a continually increasing number of foreign students. T02 : She's always on the lookout for ways to save money. T03 : He writes plays but teaching is his bread and butter. T04 : The government is becoming ever more aware of its environmental responsibilities. T05 : We need to leverage our resources to win market share.