Being heroically lost, being heroically found

Abstract

South East Asia has many cities seeking to transform themselves. Hanoi is one such city, bustling, lively, young and full of promise. Hanoi is a place that could rewrite the way cities are designed for mobility of youth. For older children and teenagers, cities and urban spaces represent places where they can separate from their parents and experience independence. For many children, a trip to town is the first experience of being 'alone' with friends. This position paper presents a specific design challenge for the smart cities of the future --to make cities for hero's that balance the need for freedom and the need for safety for vulnerable and semi-vulnerable individuals.