Abstract
This article explores the significance of the “Smart city” concept by reviewing its key components, namely: Internet of Things (IoT), big (urban) data, and urban informatics/analytics, which are discussed against the background of two ongoing trends impacting everyone in the world—the Fourth Paradigm (the digital revolution) and rapid urbanization. China is seen as a great success story in the sense of how urbanization has driven a significant improvement in the economic wellbeing and prosperity of many of its citizens. Chinese expansion has come at a cost, and the question remains concerning the sustainability of the Chinese model. Along with this, the article suggests some of the short comings of the components of the Smart city concept and reflects on the human resource skills that will be required to implement Smart cities in the north. This is contrasted with the piecemeal way in which elements of the Smart city are being implemented in emerging economies. A process that very much seems to reflect fundamental technical and capacity issues that may hinder any blanket application of the Smart city in the emerging economies for a long time.
Highlights
This article is about the main building blocks of Smart cities: Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and urban informatics
The place of China in the discussion is contrasted with the increasing pressure worldwide for sustainable development, a sentiment echoed in the words of former United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, “Our struggle for global sustainability will be won or lost in cities” [2]
The articles cover a period ranging from 2009 to 2019, with over two thirds (46) of the articles cited being within the last five years. This qualitative evaluation aimed to get an idea of what is meant by IoT, big data, and urban informatics/analytics, along with what are the key challenges, as well as an understanding of the hype that exists around these concepts
Summary
This article is about the main building blocks of Smart cities: Internet of Things (IoT), big (urban) data, and urban informatics. We have got to be masters of this.” [1]. He is speaking about the so-called Fourth Paradigm. As a qualitative opinion piece, this article includes the issue of worldwide urbanization as the second major issue, adding context to the discussion. Together, these two processes represent the backdrop against which the above-mentioned building blocks of Smart Cities are examined. The place of China in the discussion is contrasted with the increasing pressure worldwide for sustainable development, a sentiment echoed in the words of former United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, “Our struggle for global sustainability will be won or lost in cities” [2]
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