{"product_id":"dream-states-smart-cities-and-the-pursuit-of-utopian-urbanism-9781552454282","title":"Dream States: Smart Cities and the Pursuit of Utopian Urbanism","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eThe book \"Dream States: Smart Cities, Technology, and the Pursuit of Urban Utopias\" explores the promises and challenges of smart city technology, examining how it has shaped cities in the past and how it will reshape them in the future. It is a must-read for policy makers, researchers, and practitioners interested in understanding the opportunities and challenges of smart city technology and its impact on city building. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 176 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 06 October 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Coach House Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe promise of the so-called smart city has been at the forefront of urban planning and development since the early 2010s, and the tech industry that supplies smart city software and hardware is now worth hundreds of billions of dollars a year. However, the ideas and approaches underpinning smart city tech raise tough and important questions about the future of urban communities, surveillance, automation, and public participation. The smart city era, moreover, belongs firmly in a longer historical narrative about cities defined by utopian ideologies, architectural visions, and technological fantasies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmart streetlights, water and air quality tracking, autonomous vehicles: with examples from all over the world, including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Portland, and Chicago, Dream States unpacks the world of smart city tech, but also situates this important shift in city-building into a broader story about why we still dream about perfect places. John Lorinc's incisive analysis in Dream States reminds us that the search for urban utopia is not new. Throughout the book, Lorinc underscores the fact that a gamut of urban innovations, from smart city megaprojects to e-government to pandemic preparedness tools, only provide promise when scrutinized together with the political, economic, social, and physical complexities of urban life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDream States: Smart Cities, Technology, and the Pursuit of Urban Utopias takes us on a fascinating journey across world cities to show how technology has shaped them. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the sprawling metropolises of Shanghai and Mumbai, Lorinc explores how technology has transformed the way we live, work, and interact with our urban environments. He also examines the challenges and risks associated with the rise of smart cities, including concerns about privacy, security, and the displacement of traditional communities.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the key themes of Dream States is the idea of \"smart cities as laboratories.\" Lorinc argues that smart city technologies are being used as a testing ground for new ideas and innovations in urban planning and development. He suggests that smart cities can serve as a model for other cities around the world, providing a platform for experimentation and learning. However, he also warns that the pursuit of urban utopias can lead to unintended consequences and that we must be careful not to lose sight of the human dimension of city-building.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnother important aspect of Dream States is the role of technology in shaping urban identity. Lorinc argues that the way we perceive and interact with our cities is being fundamentally transformed by technology. He suggests that the rise of smart cities is creating a new kind of urban identity, one that is defined by connectivity, innovation, and sustainability. However, he also points out that this new urban identity can be exclusionary and that we must work to ensure that all communities have access to the benefits of technology.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn conclusion, Dream States: Smart Cities, Technology, and the Pursuit of Urban Utopias is a thought-provoking and insightful book that provides a comprehensive exploration of the world of smart city tech. John Lorinc's analysis is incisive and nuanced, and he offers a valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities associated with the rise of smart cities. Whether you are an urban planner, policymaker, or simply interested in the future of our cities, this book is a must-read.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 215 x 139 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781552454282\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"John Lorinc,John Lorinc","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44098786984186,"sku":"9781552454282","price":10.04,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1665742066517_book.jpg?v=1665818136","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/dream-states-smart-cities-and-the-pursuit-of-utopian-urbanism-9781552454282","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}