Repository of problems worth solving
World Solve is a public institutional repository for identifying real unresolved problems across science, society, health, governance, economics, and local systems. Each entry is intended to be citable, inspectable, and actionable.
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4194Total
4194Open
0Solved
9Humans
Homes that generate extra space solely during guest presence create sudden capacity and then abrupt disappearance. The problem is ensuring structural safety, privacy, and continuity when architecture itself is conditional on occupancy.
managing
temporary
rooms
appear
only
science-space
The problem of frequent and prolonged electricity blackouts continues to affect hundreds of millions of people and undermines progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Existing responses remain fragmented, under-resourced and poorly adapted to local contexts. A strong solution must operate effectively under severe constraints of skilled personnel, infrastructure, electricity and connectivity. It should define clear measurable outcomes, identify possible unintended harms, and demonstrate how the intervention can be sustained by local institutions long after initial funding ends.
electricity
frequent
prolonged
blackouts
developing
other
Garments that expand or shrink according to measured self-assurance can reinforce insecurity and create practical discomfort. The challenge is allowing adaptive fit without linking physical dimensions to emotional state scores.
fit
stabilising
clothing
when
size
other
Addressing ports unable to handle modern shipping volumes is critical for achieving the 2030 Agenda. Current efforts fall short in scale, speed and equity, leaving the most vulnerable behind. Any viable solution must function in low-resource settings with limited specialists, transport, laboratory capacity and broadband. Proposals should specify quantifiable biological, social or environmental outcomes, openly discuss potential risks, and present a realistic pathway for long-term maintenance and local ownership beyond short research pilots.
ports
unable
handle
modern
shipping
mathematics-logic
Dispensers that release water only after correct answers create barriers for children, visitors, and people with cognitive differences. The problem is providing free hydration without knowledge tests as gatekeepers.
water
answers
ensuring
access
when
other
The problem of insufficient airport capacity in many regions continues to affect hundreds of millions of people and undermines progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Existing responses remain fragmented, under-resourced and poorly adapted to local contexts. A strong solution must operate effectively under severe constraints of skilled personnel, infrastructure, electricity and connectivity. It should define clear measurable outcomes, identify possible unintended harms, and demonstrate how the intervention can be sustained by local institutions long after initial funding ends.
insufficient
airport
capacity
many
regions
other
Digital calendars that prune events judged irrelevant to a user’s preferred life story erase inconvenient or painful but real experiences. The challenge is giving people control over their records without algorithmic narrative curation.
calendars
narrative
events
preserving
personal
technology-computing
The problem of outdated and slow railway systems continues to affect hundreds of millions of people and undermines progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Existing responses remain fragmented, under-resourced and poorly adapted to local contexts. A strong solution must operate effectively under severe constraints of skilled personnel, infrastructure, electricity and connectivity. It should define clear measurable outcomes, identify possible unintended harms, and demonstrate how the intervention can be sustained by local institutions long after initial funding ends.
outdated
slow
railway
systems
establishing
other
Pavements that remember and respond to historical load patterns can create uneven safety conditions. The problem is designing surfaces that remain predictably safe for all users regardless of prior traffic.
preventing
streets
adjusting
grip
based
health-biology
Addressing bridges at risk of collapse is critical for achieving the 2030 Agenda. Current efforts fall short in scale, speed and equity, leaving the most vulnerable behind. Any viable solution must function in low-resource settings with limited specialists, transport, laboratory capacity and broadband. Proposals should specify quantifiable biological, social or environmental outcomes, openly discuss potential risks, and present a realistic pathway for long-term maintenance and local ownership beyond short research pilots.
bridges
risk
collapse
2030
implementing
mathematics-logic
Pets that age backward or forward according to measured human engagement create welfare and ethical dilemmas. The challenge is ensuring consistent, healthy lifespans independent of fluctuating owner behaviour.
owner
stabilising
companion
animal
aging
philosophy-ethics
Future progress on human development and planetary health depends on solving broken and dangerous road networks. Conventional approaches have proven insufficient. The required intervention must integrate community knowledge, data and appropriate technology while remaining affordable, privacy-preserving and operable with minimal external support. Strong solutions will articulate measurable impact metrics, risk mitigation strategies, and a plan for sustained operation by local actors after the pilot phase.
solutions
broken
dangerous
road
networks
social-civic-problems
Clouds that temporarily spell commercial messages turn the atmosphere into advertising space visible to entire cities. The problem is preserving the sky as a non-commercial visual commons.
sky
clouds
protecting
corporate
slogan
science-space
Future progress on human development and planetary health depends on solving children without safe places to play. Conventional approaches have proven insufficient. The required intervention must integrate community knowledge, data and appropriate technology while remaining affordable, privacy-preserving and operable with minimal external support. Strong solutions will articulate measurable impact metrics, risk mitigation strategies, and a plan for sustained operation by local actors after the pilot phase.
solutions
children
without
safe
places
social-civic-problems
Entrances that expand or contract according to digital invitation data can exclude people with disabilities or create real-time social filtering. The challenge is keeping physical thresholds inclusive regardless of digital status signals.
invitation
status
ensuring
doorway
accessibility
technology-computing
Future progress on human development and planetary health depends on solving shortage of safe parks and green spaces in cities. Conventional approaches have proven insufficient. The required intervention must integrate community knowledge, data and appropriate technology while remaining affordable, privacy-preserving and operable with minimal external support. Strong solutions will articulate measurable impact metrics, risk mitigation strategies, and a plan for sustained operation by local actors after the pilot phase.
shortage
safe
parks
green
spaces
science-space
Temporary or permanent height exchange for social or economic benefits creates new bodily hierarchies and health risks. The problem is protecting bodily integrity from becoming a tradable commodity linked to status.
height
preventing
advantage
markets
trade
economics-resources
sports facilities closed to many communities remains one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Systems currently in place are inadequate for the scale and complexity of the problem. A successful approach must work where resources are scarcest and demonstrate clear, measurable results. It should identify possible harms, respect local agency, and show how the solution can be maintained and expanded by the communities it is meant to serve.
communities
sports
facilities
closed
many
other
Sculptures or murals that spontaneously shift material without notice erase the original artistic intent and public memory. The challenge is allowing responsive or living art while documenting and preserving the creator’s initial medium and message.
artistic
public
medium
maintaining
continuity
other
The problem of gender segregation in school sports continues to affect hundreds of millions of people and undermines progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Existing responses remain fragmented, under-resourced and poorly adapted to local contexts. A strong solution must operate effectively under severe constraints of skilled personnel, infrastructure, electricity and connectivity. It should define clear measurable outcomes, identify possible unintended harms, and demonstrate how the intervention can be sustained by local institutions long after initial funding ends.
gender
segregation
school
sports
implementing
other
