KNOWLEDGE CITIES: EXAMINING THE DISCOURSE SMART VILLAGES, INTERNET CITIES OR CREATIVITY ENGINES

Abstract

The world's growing cities are a critical fact of the 21st Century, and represent one of the greatest challenges to the future. By the year 2050 cities with populations over three million will be more than double; from 70 today to over 150. When knowledge is perhaps the most important factor in the future of city's economy, there is a growing interest in the concept of the "knowledge city". An acceptable definition of knowledge city might be it is not just a regular city. It is a growing space of exchange and optimism in which each and everyone can devote himself to personal and collective projects and aspirations in a climate of dynamism, hannony, and creativity. A world examination of the status of Knowledge Cities will reveal a tangible development in collective efforts of declaring and developing such cities around the globe. On the contrary, Arab cities are building technological isolated projects thinking that they are promoting the same concept. An examination of projects like Egypt' Smart Village and Dubai's Internet City and Knowledge Village will be helpful in evaluating the knowledge status of contemporary Arab Cities.The purpose of this paper is to explore the knowledge city concept in depth. It will discuss the principles of a knowledge city, and portrays its distinguishing characteristics and processes. I'll argue in this paper that the concept of 'Knowledge Cities' is rooted in the urban, cultural structure of traditional Arab cities. Therefore an attempt to foster this concept in today's Arab cities would not be possible by building isolated technologicalstatement scattered around the city. Alternatively, the rise of the network society, global networks, linked cities and existence of smart communities should construct the basis for shaping Arab Knowledge Cities.In addition, the paper will introduce the concept of Urban Creativity Engines , and examples of various types will be presented. I II argue that this is a more comprehensive concept for constructing and evaluating knowledge cities. Although this concept and its terminology is new, the paper will prove that there are many historical examples, regionally and internationally, of knowledge cities and Innovation/Creativity Engines. A focus on the traditional built environment of the Middle Eastern cities will be included to examine the main hypothesis of the paper.