Sonja Pedell, Swinburne University of Technology and Ann Borda, The University of Melbourne
We have the technology to make it easier for older Australians to pursue active ageing in their own communities. The smart city just needs their input to make it work for them.
Despite the exams algorithm fiasco, UK government bodies are making positive uses of the technology.
A robot dog called Spot patrols a Singapore park playing a recorded message telling people to observe physical distancing measures.
Edgar Su/Reuters/AAP
Smart city solutions have proved handy for curbing the contagion, but recent experience has also shown how much they rely on public trust. And that in turn depends on transparency and robust safeguards
The COVIDSafe app hasn't come out of nowhere. The promises of 'smart city' data collection may be seductive, but we must always weigh up what we're being asked to give up in return.
'Smart cities', featuring networks of automatic lights, video cameras and environmental sensors, have been hailed as an enhancement to urban life. But they are also tools of surveillance and control.
A new report assesses the smart city performance of local government areas representing 85% of Australia's population. NSW leads the way, and all the leading performers are in the major cities.
Melbourne is one Australian city that’s moving to improve its waste management and reduce its reliance on trucks to collect waste.
TK Kurikawa/Shutterstock
Cities around the world are struggling to manage their mountains of waste. We can use the Internet of Things for smart waste systems that collect, sort, reuse and recycle most of what is thrown out.
For Africa’s urban populations, new cities might not be the surest solution.
Tayvay/Shutterstock
Arturo Bris, International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
According to a new smart cities index, the real test for smart cities is whether citizens feel the benefits.
Politicians from all parties should be asked tough questions about their support of Toronto’s Sidewalk Labs Quayside project while on the campaign trail. This is an artist’s rendering of the project.
Sidewalk Toronto
If governments can't get something like Quayside right, that bodes ill for Canada's digital future. The election gives us a chance to see where the parties stand on vital data governance issues.
Cities need to focus on intelligent, collaborative and community-oriented approaches to smart city planning. This is important when it comes to addressing the roots of urban challenges.
The Northern Territory government is expanding the CCTV surveillance network.
Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Darwin is one of the aspiring 'smart cities' that is adopting Chinese technology that can identify and track individuals. Add changes in Australian law, and we have the makings of a surveillance state.
Smart city planning will need to address data collection and protecting the privacy of minors in public space.
Shutterstock
The history of how Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiaries manage children and data is a troubling one. How will Sidewalk Labs address concerns about minors and privacy in Toronto's Quayside project?
Sometimes you want to take it slow.
Fabrizio Verrecchia/Unsplash.
Technology and data are being harnessed to increase productivity in cities, but there also need to be 'slow moments', when people can pause to enjoy their surroundings.