About this book:

"The Future of Urban Living" provides a comprehensive blueprint for reimagining 21st-century cities as hubs of innovation, sustainability, and inclusion. The book meticulously details how cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital twins are transforming urban infrastructure, from intelligent traffic management and smart grids to predictive maintenance and advanced urban modeling. It emphasizes that these technological advancements are not ends in themselves but powerful tools to foster more efficient, resilient, and responsive urban environments, critically balanced with robust ethical frameworks for data privacy and security.

Beyond technology, the book delves into the indispensable pillars of environmental sustainability and social equity. It explores green architecture, circular economies for waste and resource recovery, the integration of renewable energy, and the vital role of green infrastructure in providing essential ecosystem services like clean air and water. Concurrently, it champions a human-centered approach, addressing the urban equity imperative through discussions on affordable housing, inclusive neighborhoods, designing for all abilities, and fostering community well-being and safety. The text highlights the critical shift towards active mobility—walking and cycling cities—and the transformative potential of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) for seamlessly integrated transportation.

Drawing inspiration from global case studies like the technology-driven success of Singapore, Copenhagen's leadership in sustainability, Vienna's pioneering social housing model, and the grassroots innovations of cities in the Global South such as Curitiba, the book presents a holistic vision for urban transformation. It culminates by exploring future concepts like the "15-minute city," vertical farming, and biophilic urbanism, underscoring a future where cities are not just efficient and sustainable, but deeply humane, equitable, and empowered by participatory governance. This book is an essential guide for urban planners, policymakers, architects, and engaged citizens eager to co-create thriving, adaptive, and truly inclusive urban spaces for generations to come.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Explore how IoT, AI, and digital twins are building the 'digital backbone' of smart cities, enabling intelligent urban management, predictive maintenance, and real-time simulations for optimized infrastructure and services.
• Understand the imperative of urban sustainability through green architecture, circular economies for waste and resource recovery, and the transition to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal in urban environments.
• Discover how cities are prioritizing human-centered design by creating walking and cycling cities, integrating diverse transport options through Mobility as a Service (MaaS), and building resilient mobility networks against climate change impacts.
• Examine the critical importance of urban equity and inclusion, addressing issues like segregation, affordable housing, accessible design for all abilities, and fostering community well-being and safety through holistic strategies.
• Gain insights from leading global examples of urban innovation, including Singapore's technology-driven success, Copenhagen's sustainability leadership, Vienna's commitment to social housing, and the resourceful ingenuity of cities in the Global South.

Who's It For:

This book is essential for urban planners, policymakers, architects, students of urban studies, and engaged citizens interested in the future of cities. It offers a comprehensive overview of the technological, environmental, and social forces shaping urban environments, providing practical pathways and inspiring examples for creating more innovative, sustainable, and inclusive places to live.