E-Book Overview
This book explores the emergence and development of data in cities. It exposes how Information Communication Technology (ICT) corporations seeking to capitalize on cities developing needs for urban technologies have contributed to many of the issues we are faced with today, including urbanization, centralization of wealth and climate change. Using several case studies, the book provides examples of the, in part, detrimental effects ICT driven ‘Smart City’ solutions have had and will have on the human characteristics that contribute to the identity and sense of belonging innate to many of our cities. The rise in Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and technologies like social media, has changed how people interact with and in cities, and Allam discusses of how these changes require planners, engineers and other urban professionals to adjust their approach. The main question the book seeks to address is ‘how can we use emerging technologies to recalibrate our cities and ensure increased livability, whilst also effectively dealing with their associate challenges?’ This is an ongoing conversation, but one that requires extensive thought as it has extensive consequences. This book will be of interest to students, academics, professionals and policy makers across a broad range of subjects including urban studies, architecture and STS, geography and social policy.
E-Book Content
Cities and the Digital Revolution Aligning technology and humanity
Zaheer Allam
Cities and the Digital Revolution
Zaheer Allam
Cities and the Digital Revolution Aligning technology and humanity
Zaheer Allam The Port Louis Development Initiative (PLDI) Port Louis, Mauritius
ISBN 978-3-030-29799-2 ISBN 978-3-030-29800-5 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29800-5 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This Palgrave Pivot imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
To Peter Newman, Nikos Salingaros, Michael Mehaffy, Gaetan Siew and David Jones who collectively shaped my understanding of cities
Foreword
In his monograph “Cities and the Digital Revolution,” Zaheer Allam hits a nice goldilocks zone when considering the future impact of AI on society. On “the porridge is too cold” extreme is Yaval Harari whose book “Homo Deus”1 and supporting paper “Why Technology Favors Tyranny,”2 outlines a depressing dystopian future where humanity is controlled by AI. I think Harari’s dep