InVisibilities

The purpose of this chapter is to explore urban visibilities and invisibilities, being attentive to the physical, digital, and ambient, giving rise to the need for further developing and extending spaces for theory. As such, this chapter seeks to shed light on the importance of elements pertaining to the visible, the invisible, and the ambient in urban environments informing theory for smart, responsive, and future cities. The research literature for urban theory in relation to urban visibilities and invisibilities is explored in this chapter in the context of smart and responsive cities. Using an exploratory case study approach, this chapter makes a contribution to 1) the research literature for urban theory in relation to smart and responsive cities, 2) the evolving of urban theory for smarter cities and regions, and 3) the evolving of theory through frameworks in support of the interweaving of spaces for invisibilities and visibilities as InVisibilities in a more aware environment, as in, ambient.

Making the Invisible Visible

The purpose of this chapter is to explore how the invisible is being made visible in smart cities and regions. The research literature for urban approaches to making the invisible visible is explored in this chapter in the context of smart and responsive cities and regions, enabling the identification of opportunities for research and practice. Using an exploratory case study approach combined with an explanatory correlational design, this chapter reveals how people describe and assess their experience of cities as smart. An analysis of quantitative and qualitative data focusing on the constructs of heightening urban sensibilities and urbanizing sheds light on opportunities for both practice and research going forward. This chapter makes a contribution to 1) the research literature for urban approaches to the making of smarter and more responsive cities through making the invisible visible and 2) conceptual and practical thinking through formulation and operationalization of an emerging framework for making the invisible visible in urban spaces and regions.

A Synthesis and Taxonomy

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a synthesis of urban visibilities and invisibilities in smart cities and regions as presented throughout this book. Key elements including dimensions, relationships, theory, and methods are presented in developing an integrated conceptual framework for the interweaving of the visible and invisible as InVisibilities in relation to the ambient in smart cities. Tables are included that enable summary and comparative views across chapters pertaining to findings, insights, ideas, exercise questions, and future directions for research and practice. This chapter makes a contribution to 1) emerging research and practice for ambient InVisibilities in smart cities; 2) the synthesizing of urban theory and methods pertaining to the visible and invisible dimensions of 21st century cities and urban regions; and 3) the extending of understandings pertaining to smart cities through of a conceptual framework for visibilities, invisibilities, and the ambient encompassing the physical and digital as a guide for theory and practice going forward.

InVisibilities

The purpose of this chapter is to explore urban visibilities and invisibilities in terms of the physical, digital, less tangible, and ambient in relation to the need for new methodologies and approaches in understanding and designing for smart cities. This chapter seeks to shed light on the interweaving of elements in urban environments informing methodologies for smart cities. The research literature for urban methodologies and approaches in the context of visibilities and invisibilities is explored in this chapter for smart cities and regions. Using an exploratory case study approach combined with an explanatory correlational design, placemaking and attuning to urban spaces are investigated as proxies for InVisibilities and the ambient.

Translucence and the Ambient

The purpose of this chapter is to explore translucence and the ambient as dimensions of urban visibilities and invisibilities in the context of emergent perspectives on smart cities to enrich understandings. The research literature for translucence and the ambient is explored in terms of urban visibilities and invisibilities in smart cities and regions, enabling the formulation and operationalization of a conceptual framework to guide the investigation in this chapter. Using an exploratory case study approach, combined with an explanatory correlational design, survey and interview responses provide a mix of quantitative and qualitative data for analysis. This chapter makes a contribution to 1) the research literature for translucence and the ambient in smart cities and regions, 2) the surfacing of additional urban elements for understanding 21st century cities, and 3) the evolving of theory through formulation of a conceptual framework for translucence and the ambient in smart cities.

Visibilities and Invisibilities

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the visible and invisible aspects and elements of contemporary urban environments and regions through a review of the research and practice literature on smart cities. Using an exploratory case study approach combined with an explanatory correlational design, the relationship between the visible and invisible is explored with individuals in multiple small- to medium- to large-sized cities in a range of countries. This chapter is significant in that it explores the nature of the relationship between the visible and the invisible in smart urban environments and regions. Key contributions of this work include 1) providing a review of the research and practice literature for urban visibilities and invisibilities in smart cities, 2) exploring theory associated with the visible and invisible in smart cities, and 3) formulating and operationalizing a conceptual framework for visibilities and invisibilities in support of emerging smart city research and opportunities.

Transparency and the Ambient

The purpose of this chapter is to explore transparency and the ambient in relation to evolving perspectives on smart cities and regions. As such, this chapter seeks to shed light on the importance of elements in urban environments informing urban visibilities and invisibilities for smart, responsive, and future cities. The research literature for transparency and the ambient is explored in this chapter in the context of visibilities and invisibilities in smart cities. The constructs of openness and attuning to urban spaces are used to explore transparency and the ambient. This chapter uses an exploratory case study approach in combination with an explanatory correlational design. This chapter makes a contribution to 1) the research literature for transparency and the ambient in smart cities, 2) the evolving of perspectives on smart cities and regions, and 3) the evolving of theory through formulation of a conceptual framework for transparency and the ambient in smart cities.

Ambient Approaches and Inquiries

The purpose of this chapter is to explore urban visibilities and invisibilities through the use of ambient approaches and inquires in smart cities and regions. As such, this chapter seeks to further operationalize elements of ambient InVisibilities advanced in this book, incorporating livability and well-being and challenges and opportunities associated with data. The research literature for well-being and livability in relation to urban data visibilities and invisibilities is explored in this chapter in the context of smart and responsive cities. Using an exploratory case study approach, combined with an explanatory correlational design, selected elements of urban life in smart cities are is investigated. This chapter makes a contribution to 1) the research literature for well-being and livability and other emergent complexities associated with data in the context of smart cities and 2) the evolving of theory through formulation of a conceptual framework for augmented awareness for ambient Invisibilities in smart cities.