The concept of smart cities has evolved over the past 50 years, evolving from early data analyses in Los Angeles to ambitious projects like Saudi Arabia's The Line. These modern initiatives aim to harness technology for urban development while addressing environmental concerns. Notably, the Map Kibera project in Kenya exemplifies grassroots data collection to enhance city services. However, the article highlights a critical gap in research, asserting the need for more evidence to understand which smart city strategies succeed or fail and who ultimately benefits from them.
Despite the innovation, we currently lack substantial evidence on what smart city initiatives are most effective, who they truly benefit, and the long-term implications.
The history of smart cities dates back to 1974 in Los Angeles, where data analysis was first leveraged to tackle urban issues like poverty.
Current smart city developments, like Saudi Arabia's The Line, aim to balance technology, urban living, and nature, contrasting sharply with grassroots projects like Map Kibera in Kenya.
While concepts like Kyiv Digital support citizens in crisis, there remains a significant gap in understanding the overall effectiveness of various smart city models.
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