UNIT 3: Cities of the Future – Core Vocabulary

155 vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms, phrases and concepts from Unit 3 “Cities of the Future.”

exhibit (v)

to display or show something publicly

exhibition (n)

a public display; a show

model (n)

a small-scale copy or example used for demonstration

take a look

to glance at or examine briefly

design (v)

to plan and create the form of something

design (n)

a plan or drawing produced to show the look and function of an object

negative (adj)

harmful, bad or pessimistic

positive (adj)

helpful, good or optimistic

impact (n)

the strong effect or influence of something on something else

impact (v)

to strongly affect or influence

make up (v)

to form or compose; also to invent or reconcile

be made up of

to consist of; to be composed of

private (adj)

intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person or group; not public

privacy (n)

the state of being free from public attention

vehicle (n)

a means of transport such as a car, bus or truck

public transport (n)

buses, trains, etc., available for everyone to use

tram (n)

a streetcar run on rails, often in cities

electric (adj)

powered by electricity (e.g., electric car)

electrical (adj)

related to electricity in general (e.g., electrical equipment)

electricity (n)

a form of energy resulting from charged particles

electronic (adj)

operated by electrons or devices such as microchips

traffic jam (n)

a line of stationary or very slow-moving vehicles

pollution (n)

the presence of harmful substances in the environment

pollutant (n)

a substance that causes pollution

pollute (v)

to contaminate the environment

dwell (v)

to live or reside

dweller (n)

an inhabitant or resident

stop V-ing

to cease an activity completely

stop to V

to pause one action in order to do another

urban (adj)

relating to a city or town

rural (adj)

relating to the countryside

urbanize (v)

to make or become more city-like

urbanization (n)

the process of becoming urban

urbanite (n)

a city resident; city dweller

area (n)

a region or part of a town, country, or world

region (n)

a large, undefined geographic area

solution (n)

an answer or remedy to a problem

solve (v)

to find a solution to

environment (n)

the natural world; surroundings

environmental (adj)

relating to the natural environment

environmentalist (n)

a person who advocates protection of the environment

problem (n)

an issue or difficulty that needs solving

robot (n)

a machine capable of carrying out complex actions automatically

robotic (adj)

pertaining to or like robots

smart (adj)

intelligent or technologically advanced

smart city (n)

an urban area using digital technology to enhance performance and wellbeing

artificial intelligence (n)

computer systems able to perform tasks that normally need human intelligence

technology (n)

the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes

technological (adj)

relating to technology

sensor (n)

a device that detects or measures a physical property

install (v)

to put in place and make ready for use

operate (v)

to run or control the functioning of something

operation (n)

the act of functioning; or a surgical procedure

efficient (adj)

performing in the best possible manner with least waste

modern (adj)

current, up-to-date or advanced

modernize (v)

to make something more modern

infrastructure (n)

basic physical and organizational facilities (roads, power, etc.)

impress (v)

to make someone feel admiration or respect

high-rise building (n)

a very tall building; skyscraper

carbon footprint (n)

the amount of CO₂ emitted by a person or organization

housing problem (n)

shortage or inadequacy of living accommodations

rush hour (n)

time of day with heaviest traffic

museum (n)

a building where historical, scientific or artistic objects are displayed

roof garden (n)

a garden on the roof of a building

smooth (adj)

even, flat or without bumps

rough (adj)

uneven or not smooth

organize (v)

to arrange or coordinate systematically

organization (n)

a group with a particular purpose; act of organizing

skyscraper (n)

a very tall multi-storey building

a number of

several; many (followed by a plural verb)

the number of

the total quantity of (followed by a singular verb)

economy (n)

the system of production and consumption in a country

economic (adj)

related to the economy

economical (adj)

cost-saving; thrifty

underground (n)

a subway; metro system

allow (v)

to permit

get around

to travel or move from place to place

catch/attract someone’s attention

to make someone notice

pay attention to

to focus on

unusual (adj)

not common or ordinary

architecture (n)

the art or practice of designing buildings

suburb (n)

an outlying residential district of a city

distance (n)

the amount of space between two points

plan to + V

to intend or arrange to do something

renovate (v)

to restore or improve (a building, etc.)

vibrant (adj)

full of energy and activity

construction (n)

the building of something, typically structures

develop (v)

to grow or cause to grow; to improve

project (n)

a planned piece of work

neighborhood (n)

a district where people live

demand (n)

the need or desire for goods or services

service (n)

work done for others as an occupation or business

local (adj)

relating to a nearby area

authority (n)

a governing body or official power

government (n)

the ruling body of a nation, state or community

invest (v)

to put money or effort into something for profit or benefit

green space (n)

an area of grass, trees or other vegetation in a city

quality (n)

the standard of something as measured against other things

quantity (n)

the amount or number of something

densely populated (adj)

having a large number of people living per unit area