Understanding Smart Cities, 15-Minute Cities

#Business
Understanding Smart Cities, 15-Minute Cities

Loveworld / 2 weeks

July 12, 2024

2 min read

In cities and towns across the world, our communities are being transformed by the implementation of so-called “smart” technologies said to create more efficient, safe, and sustainable environments. These smart cities use a range of devices such as cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence to attempt central management of everything from traffic and public safety to environmental monitoring. Proponents of smart cities will sing songs about their efficiency. Traffic lights adjust in real-time to traffic conditions, reducing congestion and shortening commutes. Smart waste management systems notify city services when trash bins are full, optimizing collection routes and frequencies. Public safety could be enhanced by using networked cameras and environmental sensors that can detect crimes and so forth.
Moreover, the control and ownership of this data resides predominantly in the hands of corporations. This new era of surveillance isn’t just about privacy. It’s a profound shift in the power dynamics between the state and the individual. It tips the balance overwhelmingly in favour of the observer. In a society where everyone is watched, the watched are not free. This surveillance creates a chilling effect on behaviour, stifling dissent and discouraging participation in civil society.
What exactly is a “Smart City” and how does it relate to a “15-minute city”? And what does any of this have to do with individual liberty and freedom of movement? You’ve likely heard the terms “Smart City”, or its more recent cousin, “15-minute city”, but do you truly understand what these concepts call for? Do you know which organizations are responsible for promoting the ideas?
Watch as Tatenda Belle Panashe speaks more on it on World Markets: