Sustainable Cities: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and the Rise of Green, "Cy-phy" Cities

Global cities are facing an unprecedented challenge of change, and this book explores how new digital technologies can be used to design digital and physical twins of cities that are able to optimize their working and create new wealth and wellbeing. It also presents a framework for a critical discussion of the concept of "smart-city" and discusses how traditional sectors can evolve, leveraging Big Data and AI in a cyber-physical integrated setting. Finally, it presents use cases that could be designed around individuals to improve the success and resilience of households and companies living and working in urban areas.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 221 pages
Publication date: 29 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique challenge to global cities, as they strive to recover from the economic and social impacts while also preparing for climate change and other existential threats. In order to address these challenges, cities need to find innovative ways to support wealth and wellbeing creation, leveraging Big Data and AI to transform their physical realities and become greener, more inclusive, and resilient. This book explores how new digital technologies can be used to create digital and physical twins of cities that can optimize their operations and facilitate the creation of new wealth and wellbeing. It also provides strategies for increasing cities' social and economic resilience during crisis times, addressing their inherent weaknesses that became evident during the pandemic. Furthermore, the book proposes a framework for a critical discussion of the concept of "smart city," suggesting its evolution into a "cyber" and "meta" one, where digital systems can enable physical entities such as cities, citizens, households, and companies to become smarter, and vice versa.

An analysis of the fundamental dynamics of this emerging "info-telligence" economy is conducted, along with an examination of the potential role of big digital players like Amazon, Google, and Facebook. This analysis lays the foundation for discussing strategic forays into traditional sectors such as financial services, real estate, technology, and healthcare, where Big Data and AI can be leveraged in a cyber-physical integrated setting.

Finally, a series of thought-provoking use cases are presented that demonstrate the potential applications of Big Data and AI in global cities. These use cases cover a wide range of areas, including urban planning, transportation, healthcare, education, and energy management, highlighting the transformative power of these technologies in shaping the future of cities.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive and forward-thinking exploration of the opportunities and challenges facing global cities in the era of digital transformation. By leveraging Big Data and AI, cities can become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient, while also driving economic growth and innovation. The use cases presented provide a glimpse into the potential applications of these technologies, and serve as a roadmap for policymakers, industry leaders
leaders, and citizens alike.

Weight: 361g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030684402
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021