Theme 5: technology, globalization, and future cities

Neoliberal urbanism

application of market principles, cities viewed more like businesses and less as public services

Cities are global hubs in

networks, data, and migration

New public management

applies private sector management techniques to public organizations
privatization and efficiency over public welfare

Neoliberal urbanism lead to 

decline of state-led planning > rise of market facilitation 

smart cities

digital, intelligent, connected, resilience through technology

smart technologies can influence behaviors

equity challenges
demographic and cultural differences affect adoption

Utopia vs dystopia 

technology enhances social, environmental, and economic benefits, but the dystopia is the exploitation of personal data and the spread of misinformation 

Dystopia

Imaginary place where people are unhappy and afraid

Ethical dilemmas of technology

privacy, consent, digital divide

future cities 

sustainability, zero waste, equity as guiding principles 

social infrastructure for future cities

libraries, education as foundations of resilience

Technological determinism

Innovation shapes urban form, but without ethical governance, it deepens inequality

wicked problems

global challenges defy linear solutions, they require collaboration and adaptation

Digital utopia vs dystopia

technology can democratize or dominate, depending on who controls data 

NZ privacy act

regulates collection, use, storage, and access to personal information

Auckland transport data projects

improve efficiency, but raise privacy issues

Digital divide

rural vs urban access inequality