New technologies and the future of cities

Abstract

The twentieth first century has been labeled as the “metropolitan century, as it is expected that the urban population will reach the eighty five percent of the total population by the end of the century. New technologies play a crucial role in urban environment, and this role is succinctly described by the term “smart cities”. This term first appeared during the nineties and mainly referred to the interconnection of communities and localities. Recently the term encompasses the use of new technologies in activities ranging from urban transportation, the improvement of social life and urban environment, as well as, the urban administration and the city image. Many city authorities have used specific policies in the application of new technologies in a broad array of social and economic life. New technologies have already had a positive impact on urban