The urban revolution is already at work, but ultimately innovation will drive advances in technology, expansion of the internet of things and the empowerment of consumers, all of which will result in smarter and more sustainable cities. Today, the quality of air and water, the movement of people and objects, the changes in weather, the road traffic, the production and consumption of energy, can be measured using technology, and tracked and interconnected through networks in real time. It is through interconnecting buildings, factories, vehicles, power generation plants, lighting, that cities will be “smart”. But being “smart” should not be the goal of cities in the 21st century, it should be a tool to raise the quality of life of their citizens. Protecting the environment, reducing life-threatening hazards such as pollution and making cities more livable is more important than adopting the latest technologies. Also governments need to embrace citizen participation, get closer to the daily life of the residents, and provide the means for people to decide how to shape their communities and neighborhoods. The purpose of “Cities of the Future” is to provide a platform for experts in different areas, city and community leaders, and technology providers to share their views and proposals to make cities more efficient, transparent, sustainable and, above all, increase the quality of life of their residents.
