The Kind city vs the Smart city
Despite all the progress and promising lifestyle offered by a smart city, in the recent times, the idea of a life in a smart city has started to lose its allure to people. Why and how did this happen? Does this mean that an effective administered life with great architecture and engineering no longer attracts the citizens? Is the inefficient translation of ideas from paper into reality the primary reason behind this downfall? It is important for you to know that there have been huge rounds going about the need to change “smart cities” as an expression to define the true ideal of an urban living for citizens. The dull narrative of a “smart city” with all its infrastructure and statistical data is not something that is going to attract people to live in them. In this case, what is more important is a narrative of the city that goes much beyond data and statistics related to better transport or better air quality. Life in an urban environment contains much more potential than just being limited to a number of amenities provided by the authorities.
THE TALE OF A ‘KIND CITY’
This is where the concept of a kind city or an engagement city comes to the forefront. There has been a surging rise in the trend of new and centralized interactions amongst urban dwellers in the recent times. There are quite a few cities around the globe that have been practicing a number of initiatives to join hands and work together with local neighborhoods and communities to resolve issues related to urban life. This trend represents the citizen’s need to take control of their future in an urban scenario at the local level. These local, geographically-centered and culture-centered narratives are something that need attention on the part of the governments and authorities in the coming future while aiming for urban innovation. Such activities and interactions are inseparable from the essential existence of any community – be it rural or urban.
CHANGE OF NARRATIVE: THE NEED OF THE HOUR!
In order to build a strong narrative for smart cities, it is crucial for the authorities to give an ear to these exclusive and authentic local narratives of urban dwellers. Without integrating the narratives of these ongoing initiatives in their definition of smart cities, the authorities will fail to allure its people despite its promise of offering an innovative urban living. There is a need to shift from the dull narrative of a smart city and instead focus on urban narratives that happen to evolve organically from the roots of any place or culture. Because these are the actual narratives that are relevant for the people who live there, and it is something that will make a powerful impact on them. It is high time that the authorities realize that a vision of a smart city is incomplete without incorporating the vision of these unique local initiatives to build a desirable smart-city future for its citizens.
This article is part of the Global UrbanTIC® and Smart Cities Certification Program is designed to fill the current gap between the two most influential groups in Smart City systems implementation; it puts both city management professionals and technological entrepreneurs in contact, developing a common language in order to promote innovation in the current development of cities.