Smart Cities, Mobile Technologies and Social Cohesion in India

India’s cities are projected to grow by 300 million people by 2050, but this demographic transition may exacerbate fragile communal and infrastructural tensions. To address these challenges, the ‘Smart Cities’ agenda attempts to leverage India’s rapid embrace of technology to generate societal positive developmental outcomes in urban areas that emphasize the use of Internet and communications technologies (ICTs). However, local, regional and national government agencies struggle to balance embracing technology with inclusive development that protects civil rights and liberties. While the benefits are often stated, the acceleration of technology use in urban development can also create exclusionary cities, and many technologies that drive India’s modernization have also facilitated riots and violence between communities. This article explores these contradictions, examining scholarship on Smart Cities and ICTs in the context of the 2015–2016 Patel/Patidar agitation in Gujarat. We conclude by offering forward pathways for the Smart Cities and mobile technology agendas that support inclusive urban growth and development in India but are also mindful of civil liberties.

Download Full-text

Towards a Sustainable i-City: Intelligent Transition Management of Digital Places

Quality Innovation Prosperity ◽

10.12776/qip.v21i1.788 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 151 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Karima Kourtit

Keyword(s):

Big Data ◽

Force Field ◽

Data Management ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Technology Use ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Smart Cities ◽

Transition Management ◽

Intelligent City ◽

Cognitive Expertise

Modern cities operate in a force field of great challenges. The introduction of digital technology may facilitate the necessary transition management of cities but calls also for a new and intelligent use of a wealth of information for coping with great many urban challenges. This paper provides an exploration of the various challenges and tasks of an intelligent city (i-city) faced with unforeseen challenges and an unprecedented supply of ‘big data’. Professional data management based on solid cognitive expertise in this area seems to be a wise strategy of a modern i-city.Purpose: This paper provides an exploration of the various challenges and tasks of an intelligent city (i-city) faced with unforeseen challenges and an unprecedented supply of ‘big data’.Methodology/Approach: The aim of this brief exploratory paper is to provide a sketch of the context and the force field of modern digital technology for urban areas. Our objective is to provide a positioning of Sweden – and in particular Stockholm – from the perspective of ICT use and digital technology use. Consequently, against the background of global and national ICT developments, the present paper will zoom in on Sweden and Stockholm as a reference case, so as to provide concrete and operational information in a benchmark exploration. At the end, some ingredients for a research and policy agenda will be offered.Findings: The conclusion may be drawn that Sweden is an advanced Internet-rich country, in which the top of the hierarchy is dominated by Stockholm. Clearly, this city may be seen as a role model for others in the use of Internet activities. It is a typical example of a leading i-city.Research Limitation/implication: The paper provides in a cascade form various relevant data on smart cities, from an international, national and local perspective, with the main focus on Stockholm.Originality/Value of paper: Professional data management based on solid cognitive expertise in this area seems to be a wise strategy of a modern i-city.

Download Full-text

Spatial Autocorrelation in the Study of Neighbourhoods towards Smart Cities: Empirical Evidence from Kerman, Iran

Scientific Research Journal ◽

10.24191/srj.v9i2.9405 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Asra Hosseini

Keyword(s):

Spatial Autocorrelation ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Smart Cities ◽

Moran’S I ◽

Moran's I ◽

Urban Planner ◽

Universal Feature ◽

Autocorrelation Method ◽

Selection Of

From earliest cities to the present, spatial division into residential zones and neighbourhoods is the universal feature of urban areas. This study explored issue of measuring neighbourhoods through spatial autocorrelation method based on Moran's I index in respect of achieving to best neighbourhoods' model for forming cities smarter. The research carried out by selection of 35 neighbourhoods only within central part of traditional city of Kerman in Iran. The results illustrate, 75% of neighbourhoods' area in the inner city of Kerman had clustered pattern, and it shows reduction in Moran's index is associated with disproportional distribution of density and increasing in Moran's I and Z-score have monotonic relation with more dense areas and clustered pattern. It may be more efficient for urban planner to focus on spatial autocorrelation to foster neighbourhood cohesion rather than emphasis on suburban area. It is recommended characteristics of historic neighbourhoods can be successfully linked to redevelopment plans toward making city smarter, and also people's quality of life can be related to the way that neighbourhoods' patterns are defined.

Download Full-text

Technology in the Classroom: Teachers’ Technology Choices in Relation to Content Creation and Distribution

10.28945/4201 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Mobile Technology ◽

Private School ◽

Technology Use ◽

Case Study Research ◽

Educational Experience ◽

Mobile Technologies ◽

Future Research ◽

Content Creation ◽

Use Of Technology ◽

Prime Concern

[This Proceedings paper was revised and published in the 2019 issue of the journal Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, Volume 16] Aim/Purpose: Teachers are being asked to integrate mobile technologies into their content creation and distribution tasks. This research aims to provide an understanding of teachers taking on this process and whether the use of technology has influenced their content creation and distribution in the classroom. Background: Many claim that the use of technology for content creation and distribution can only enhance and improve the educational experience. However, for teachers it is not simply the integration of technology that is of prime concern. As teachers are ultimately responsible for the success of technology integration, it is essential to understand teachers’ viewpoints and lived technology experiences. Methodology: The Task-Technology Fit (TTF) model was used to guide interpretive case study research. Six teachers were purposively sampled and interviewed from a private school where a digital strategy is already in place. Data was then analysed using directed content analysis in relation to TTF. Contribution: This paper provides an understanding of teachers’ mobile technology choices in relation to content creation and distribution tasks. Findings: Findings indicate that teachers fit technology into their tasks if they perceive the technology has a high level of benefit to the teaching task. In addition, the age of learners and the subject being taught are major influencers. Recommendations for Practitioners: Provides a more nuanced and in-depth understanding of teachers’ technology choices, which is necessary for the technology augmented educational experience of the future. Recommendations for Researchers: Provides an unbiased and theoretically guided view of mobile technology use with content creation and distribution tasks. Impact on Society: Teachers do not appear to use technology as a de facto standard, but specifically select technology which will save them time, reduce costs, and improve the educational experiences of their learners. Future Research: A mixed-method approach, including several diverse schools as well as learners would enrich the findings. Furthermore, consideration of hardware limitations and lack of software features are needed.

Download Full-text

Improving the Protection of Children Against Air Pollution Threats in Romania � The RokidAIR Project Approach and Future Perspectives

Revista de Chimie ◽

10.37358/rc.17.4.5563 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 68 (4) ◽

pp. 841-846

Author(s):

Hai-Ying Liu ◽

Daniel Dunea ◽

Mihaela Oprea ◽

Tom Savu ◽

Stefania Iordache

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Health Effects ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Health Assessment ◽

Warning System ◽

Personal Exposure ◽

Mobile Technologies ◽

Quality Maps

This paper presents the approach used to develop the information chain required to reach the objectives of the EEA Grants� RokidAIR project in two Romanian cities i.e., Targoviste and Ploiesti. It describes the PM2.5 monitoring infrastructure and architecture to the web-based GIS platform, the early warning system and the decision support system, and finally, the linking of air pollution to health effects in children. In addition, it shows the analysis performance of the designed system to process the collected time series from various data sources using the benzene concentrations monitored in Ploiesti. Moreover, this paper suggests that biomarkers, mobile technologies, and Citizens� Observatories are potential perspectives to improve data coverage by the provision of near-real-time air quality maps, and provide personal exposure and health assessment results, enabling the citizens� engagement and behavioural change. This paper also addresses new fields in nature-based solutions to improve air quality, and studies on air pollution and its mental health effects in the urban areas of Romania.

Download Full-text

Smart Cities and Smart Regulation

10.1093/oso/9780198822080.003.0004 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anita Rønne

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

System Analysis ◽

New Technologies ◽

Smart Cities ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Energy System ◽

Political Agenda ◽

Smart Regulation

Increasing focus on sustainable societies and ‘smart cities’ due to emphasis on mitigation of climate change is simultaneous with ‘smart regulation’ reaching the forefront of the political agenda. Consequently, the energy sector and its regulation are undergoing significant innovation and change. Energy innovations include transition from fossil fuels to more renewable energy sources and application of new computer technology, interactively matching production with consumer demand. Smart cities are growing and projects are being initiated for development of urban areas and energy systems. Analysis from ‘Smart Cities Accelerator’, developed under the EU Interreg funding programme that includes Climate-KIC,——provides background for the focus on a smart energy system. Analysis ensures the energy supply systems support the integration of renewables with the need for new technologies and investments. ‘Smart’ is trendy, but when becoming ‘smart’ leads to motivation that is an important step towards mitigating climate change.

Download Full-text

Smart Cities in Turkey: Approaches, Advances and Applications with Greater Consideration for Future Urban Transport Development

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12122308 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 2308 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Can Bıyık

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Planning Process ◽

Smart Cities ◽

Radical Change ◽

Urban Transport ◽

Transport Systems ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Comprehensive Survey ◽

Future Vision

The smart city transport concept is viewed as a future vision aiming to undertake investigations on the urban planning process and to construct policy-pathways for achieving future targets. Therefore, this paper sets out three visions for the year 2035 which bring about a radical change in the level of green transport systems (often called walking, cycling, and public transport) in Turkish urban areas. A participatory visioning technique was structured according to a three-stage technique: (i) Extensive online comprehensive survey, in which potential transport measures were researched for their relevance in promoting smart transport systems in future Turkish urban areas; (ii) semi-structured interviews, where transport strategy suggestions were developed in the context of the possible imaginary urban areas and their associated contextual description of the imaginary urban areas for each vision; (iii) participatory workshops, where an innovative method was developed to explore various creative future choices and alternatives. Overall, this paper indicates that the content of the future smart transport visions was reasonable, but such visions need a considerable degree of consensus and radical approaches for tackling them. The findings offer invaluable insights to researchers inquiring about the smart transport field, and policy-makers considering applying those into practice in their local urban areas.

Download Full-text

The Use of Mobile Technology in Management and Risk Control in the Supply Chain

Journal of Global Information Management ◽

10.4018/jgim.2014010102 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 14-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Amarolinda Zanela Klein ◽

Eliane Gomes da Costa ◽

Luciana Marques Vieira ◽

Rafael Teixeira

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Risk Reduction ◽

Mobile Technology ◽

Technology Use ◽

Single Case ◽

Risk Control ◽

Mobile Technologies ◽

Food Markets ◽

Safety Risks ◽

Study Results

The use of mobile technologies is important for Supply Chain Management (SCM) because these technologies allow for a ubiquitous flow of information, higher agility and risk reduction in supply chains. In food markets, these issues are particularly relevant due to food safety risks. The main goal of this paper is to analyze the use of mobile technology for management and risk control in the Brazilian beef supply chain, since Brazil is one of the main producers and beef exporters in the world. The research method was a single case study. Results show the actual level of mobile technology use; drivers and barriers to mobile technology adoption and how mobile technology is applied to beef traceability and risk reduction along the chain. The authors propose a framework that links the issues of mobile technology use for SCM and risk control, considering the context of a developing country such as Brazil.

Download Full-text

iBikeSafe: A Multi-Parameter System for Monitoring, Evaluation and Visualization of Cycling Paths in Smart Cities Targeted at Cycling Adverse Conditions

Smart Cities ◽

10.3390/smartcities4030056 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 1058-1086

Author(s):

Franklin Oliveira ◽

Daniel G. Costa ◽

Luciana Lima ◽

Ivanovitch Silva

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Smart Cities ◽

Large City ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Parameter System ◽

Urban Centers ◽

Adverse Conditions ◽

Last Mile ◽

Real Scenario

The fast transformation of the urban centers, pushed by the impacts of climatic changes and the dramatic events of the COVID-19 Pandemic, will profoundly influence our daily mobility. This resulted scenario is expected to favor adopting cleaner and flexible modal solutions centered on bicycles and scooters, especially as last-mile options. However, as the use of bicycles has rapidly increased, cyclists have been subject to adverse conditions that may affect their health and safety when cycling in urban areas. Therefore, whereas cities should implement mechanisms to monitor and evaluate adverse conditions in cycling paths, cyclists should have some effective mechanism to visualize the indirect quality of cycling paths, eventually supporting choosing more appropriate routes. Therefore, this article proposes a comprehensive multi-parameter system based on multiple independent subsystems, covering all phases of data collecting, formatting, transmission, and processing related to the monitoring, evaluating, and visualizing the quality of cycling paths in the perspective of adverse conditions that affect cyclist. The formal interactions of all modules are carefully described, as well as implementation and deployment details. Additionally, a case study is considered for a large city in Brazil, demonstrating how the proposed system can be adopted in a real scenario.

Download Full-text

From Property Rights to Liberty Rights: We the Corporations, A Review Essay

The Business History Review ◽

10.1017/s0007680521000295 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 95 (2) ◽

pp. 335-340

Author(s):

Laura Phillips Sawyer

Keyword(s):

Civil Rights ◽

Civil Liberties ◽

Political Process ◽

Constitutional Rights ◽

Bill Of Rights ◽

State Action ◽

Unequal Treatment ◽

The People ◽

The Right ◽

We The People

A long-standing, and deeply controversial, question in constitutional law is whether or not the Constitution's protections for “persons” and “people” extend to corporations. Law professor Adam Winkler's We the Corporations chronicles the most important legal battles launched by corporations to “win their constitutional rights,” by which he means both civil rights against discriminatory state action and civil liberties enshrined in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution (p. xvii). Today, we think of the former as the right to be free from unequal treatment, often protected by statutory laws, and the latter as liberties that affect the ability to live one's life fully, such as the freedom of religion, speech, or association. The vim in Winkler's argument is that the court blurred this distinction when it applied liberty rights to nonprofit corporations and then, through a series of twentieth-century rulings, corporations were able to advance greater claims to liberty rights. Ultimately, those liberty rights have been employed to strike down significant bipartisan regulations, such as campaign finance laws, which were intended to advance democratic participation in the political process. At its core, this book asks, to what extent do “we the people” rule corporations and to what extent do they rule us?

Download Full-text

Challenges and Barriers for Net‐Zero/Positive Energy Buildings and Districts—Empirical Evidence from the Smart City Project SPARCS

Buildings ◽

10.3390/buildings11020078 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 78

Author(s):

Daria Uspenskaia ◽

Karl Specht ◽

Hendrik Kondziella ◽

Thomas Bruckner

Keyword(s):

Smart City ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Smart Cities ◽

Scale Up ◽

Practical Experience ◽

Positive Energy ◽

Low Carbon ◽

Net Zero ◽

Multidimensional Representation

Without decarbonizing cities energy and climate objectives cannot be achieved as cities account for approximately two thirds of energy consumption and emissions. This goal of decarbonizing cities has to be facilitated by promoting net-zero/positive energy buildings and districts and replicating them, driving cities towards sustainability goals. Many projects in smart cities demonstrate novel and groundbreaking low-carbon solutions in demonstration and lighthouse projects. However, as the historical, geographic, political, social and economic context of urban areas vary greatly, it is not always easy to repeat the solution in another city or even district. It is therefore important to look for the opportunities to scale up or repeat successful pilots. The purpose of this paper is to explore common trends in technologies and replication strategies for positive energy buildings or districts in smart city projects, based on the practical experience from a case study in Leipzig—one of the lighthouse cities in the project SPARCS. One of the key findings the paper has proven is the necessity of a profound replication modelling to deepen the understanding of upscaling processes. Three models analyzed in this article are able to provide a multidimensional representation of the solution to be replicated.

Download Full-text