Kaid Benfield says that the current trend towards "intelligent cities" is driven by large corporations, and "futuristic technology won’t fix many of our basic urban problems."
Architect Steve Mouzon dubs the movement "gizmo green": "
For example, why are we even discussing the carbon footprint of a building if it is built somewhere that requires you to drive everywhere?", writes Mouzon.
Benfield concurs:
"...I find to be dangerous the claims of some that the more trendy phrasing and theory of "intelligent cities" is beginning to displace that of now-mainstream "smart growth." Whether we call more compact and logical regional growth patterns, more accessible and efficient public transit, and more walkable neighborhood design "smart growth" or "urbanism" or something else, we still need to do it and not let ourselves be seduced into thinking that the problems are being addressed adequately or better by technology. They are not."
Read the full story: Is there a downside to "intelligent cities" or "smart cities"?
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One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
planning NEXT
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority