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22Jul
The definition of ”smart”
A blog on what ‘smart’ is. Exploring smartness is inevitable as concepts like ‘smart city’ take hold, as panacea it often seems. The more we know the easier it is to find the right approach to what currently seem intractable problems. Such is the assumption. In this atmosphere wisely defining…
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20Jul
Five trends in smarter cities in the Netherlands
Recently a magazine asked me to name my personal five trends in smarter cities. Though there are many more, a number of trends came to me immediately – based on what I’ve seen at the recent Smart City Event in the Amsterdam Arena, and the Smartest-City-of-Holland-election (where I performed as…
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30Jun
The exponential city: ‘just push update’
Looking at the large new and successful players in the digital economy, such as Uber and Airbnb, it is not so much their new technology that changes the game, but moreover the ability to connect supply and demand using these technologies: digital platforms. Starting as a trade market for goods…
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22Jun
Smart Cities, Smart Destiny
5 years ago Amsterdam launched an event dedicated to Smart Cities. The theme was starting to blossom in big cities and none wanted to be left out. I have participated in four of the five Smart City Event editions, becoming a regular collaborator in the blog and platform that was…
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18Jun
Conclusions: Resilient Infrastructures round-tables at Smart City Event Amsterdam
Thank you for attending one of our Resilient Infrastructures round-tables at the Smart City event in Amsterdam. Understanding the need for resilient infrastructures and planning for future resilience are crucial for all cities. However, the interaction between the multiple inter-related systems and the associated stakeholder groups make the challenge complex….
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09Jun
Smart City Event 2015 – looking back on three days of looking ahead
From June 3th till Friday 5th the annual International Smart City Event took place in the Amsterdam Arena. It was the fifth edition, and for me the third visit. In my view, the event has become more mature. Last two years centered mostly around examples and pilots, and with a…
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03Jun
(How) will cities survive digital disruption?
Many aspects of the city are subject to digital disruption: platforms such as Uber will challenge traditional taxi services and logistics. Hotels are challenged by AirBnB, shops by online shopping platforms. How can the city cope? Will we – urban planners – struggle with digital disruption for the coming decades,…
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28May
Thomas Rau: “Don’t focus on smart cities. We need to grow into a smart society.”
This time I have an exhilarating conversation with Thomas Rau, architect and in a way a philosopher as well. He is well known for his sustainable and human-centered architecture and how it demonstrates and creates awareness of how human activities influence the built environment. What is your view on smart…
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