The role of future ICT in city development
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to explore the role of information and communications technologies (ICT) in creating cities that are attractive, healthy and prosperous places to live, work and visit.
Design/methodology/approach
Considers technological developments in information and communications technologies in the short‐ and medium‐term and their application in the urban environment.
Findings
IT is developing faster than ever and will be a useful tool in the redevelopment of cities. Short‐term developments such as wireless LANs may be unglamorous but have large potential for opening up new areas of opportunities, both in social and business uses. In the mid‐term, these networks will combine with ambient intelligence to make a smart digital air overlay, making every part of a city electronically enabled. The result will be big improvement in public transport and city architecture. Other IT developments will improve health, governance and security. If managed well, future urban society will be happier, less lonely, more prosperous, healthier and more involved in decision making.
Originality/value
Offers a personal view of the ways in which advances in information technologies can make a positive contribution to urban environments over the next ten to 15 years.
Keywords
Citation
Pearson, I. (2006), "The role of future ICT in city development", Foresight, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 3-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636680610668036
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited