Are "Smart Cities" Really Just "Gizmo Green"?

Kaid Benfield says that the current trend towards "intelligent cities" is driven by large corporations, and "futuristic technology won’t fix many of our basic urban problems."

1 minute read

March 7, 2011, 8:00 AM PST

By Tim Halbur

Architect Steve Mouzon dubs the movement "gizmo green": "

For example, why are we even discussing the carbon footprint of a building if it is built somewhere that requires you to drive everywhere?", writes Mouzon.

Benfield concurs:

"...I find to be dangerous the claims of some that the more trendy phrasing and theory of "intelligent cities" is beginning to displace that of now-mainstream "smart growth." Whether we call more compact and logical regional growth patterns, more accessible and efficient public transit, and more walkable neighborhood design "smart growth" or "urbanism" or something else, we still need to do it and not let ourselves be seduced into thinking that the problems are being addressed adequately or better by technology. They are not."

FULL STORY: Is there a downside to "intelligent cities" or "smart cities"?

Sunday, March 6, 2011 in NRDC Blog

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