Smart Urbanism in Older Cities

Abstract

In the built environment, the concepts of sustainable development and smart urbanism continue to evolve over time, refined through experience and study. The most recognizable elements of these are green-certified buildings, renewable energy, and data-driven infrastructure. New wisdom, such as resilience and active design, has emerged as social issues occur, change transpires, and technology enables innovation in building, city, and community operational performance. All these concepts are inter-related and overlapping; advancement of the sustainable and smart development concepts is occurring at the intersection of global history and disruptive advancements in technology. But what does this mean for those living in existing cities, especially as those cities begin to transform? This paper will discuss how the evolution of the city affects extant culture and poses some challenges, while helping city-dwellers maximize their potential and well-being.