So, you hate the NSA collecting information about you. And you hate when brands track your purchases to sell you more stuff. But do you hate the idea of a smart city?
Smart cities, with their “intelligent urban infrastructures”, promise greater civic participation, reduced waste, less traffic and a more capable government. But what are citizens sacrificing in return? How much do we want our cities to think for us? And are there benefits to “dumb cities” and their inconveniences?
In this battle-it-out presentation, Marissa Gluck and Christine Outram will fight to the finish about whether intelligent urban infrastructures are really capable of creating more livable, sustainable and economically viable cities.
Christine, will play the role of techno-determinist, convinced of technologies ability to improve our cities, without eroding civil liberties. Meanwhile, Marissa will play devils advocate, arguing that these new technologies will erase privacy, chance, serendipity and the beauty that comes from reduced automation and control.