A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Smart cities: terrain for 'epic struggle' or new urban utopias?
The idea of 'smart cities' increasingly dominates much of the discourse about future urban development although there is little agreement on definitions or derivations for the term. In the UK there is an abundance of encouragement for cities to strive to become 'smart', with Government, state agencies and foundations such as Nesta all urging cities to embrace the growing market opportunities for collaboration with corporate technology providers. At the same time the term remains highly contested with a number of critiques warning of the dangers of civic leaders accepting the promises of global tech corporations, e.g. offering 'smart city in a box' solutions. In spite of these critical voices the public profile of 'smart cities' and the tech corporations supporting them has never been higher, backed up by massive marketing campaigns and public events which offer cities an ever-growing array of tech driven solutions to economic, environmental and social challenges.
Smart cities: terrain for 'epic struggle' or new urban utopias?
The idea of 'smart cities' increasingly dominates much of the discourse about future urban development although there is little agreement on definitions or derivations for the term. In the UK there is an abundance of encouragement for cities to strive to become 'smart', with Government, state agencies and foundations such as Nesta all urging cities to embrace the growing market opportunities for collaboration with corporate technology providers. At the same time the term remains highly contested with a number of critiques warning of the dangers of civic leaders accepting the promises of global tech corporations, e.g. offering 'smart city in a box' solutions. In spite of these critical voices the public profile of 'smart cities' and the tech corporations supporting them has never been higher, backed up by massive marketing campaigns and public events which offer cities an ever-growing array of tech driven solutions to economic, environmental and social challenges.
Smart cities: terrain for 'epic struggle' or new urban utopias?
Carter, David (author)
2017
Article (Journal)
English