Smart Cities to Smart Societies

This book explores the governance of smart cities from a holistic approach, arguing that the creation of smart cities must consider the specific circumstances of each country to improve the preservation, revitalisation, liveability, and sustainability of urban areas. The recent push for smart cities is part of an effort to reshape urban development through megaprojects, centralised master planning, and approaches that convey modernism and global affluence. However, moving towards a citywide smart transition is a major undertaking, and complexities are expected to grow exponentially. This book argues that a comprehensive approach is necessary to consider all relevant aspects. The chapters seek to identify the potential and pitfalls of the smart transformation of urban communities and its role in sustainability goals; share state-of-the-art practices concerning technology, policy, and social science dimensions in smart cities and communities; and develop opportunities for cooperation and partnership in wider and larger research and development programmes. Divided into three parts, the first part of the book highlights the significance of various societal elements and factors in facilitating a successful smart transition, with a particular emphasis on the role of human capital. The second part delves into the challenges associated with technology and its integration into smart city initiatives. The final part of the book examines the current state of regulations and policies governing smart cities. The book will be an important asset for students and researchers studying law, engineering, political science, international relations, geopolitics, economics, and engineering.

Part I - Smart Cities and Citizens
1. For us, by us? The role of citizens in smart cities
2. Including disadvantaged citizens in smart societies: How learning in formal and informal educational settings fosters digital literacy
3. From a smart city to wise citizens – Smart empowering with artificial intelligence
4. Smart and connected communities: From top-down to bottom-up approaches to city development

Part II - Smart Cities and Governance
5. Smart cities and public data - Current challenges and potential solutions
6. Strengthening governance accountability in smart cities: The case of urban energy transition in Jakarta, Indonesia
7. City of challenges: Towards eco-technological innovation? Examples from Morocco and South Korea
8. Smartifying [informal] cities through platform urbanism

Part III - Smart Cities and the Law
9. Smart cities as new battlegrounds in the geopolitics of international law
10. Navigating international legal frontiers for sustainable urbanisation
11. Individuals’ privacy and data collection in the context of smart cities: Law and policy review

Index