Creating "The Smart City"

Abstract

The world is a heavily segregated place where we are first separated by the seven continents, broken down into many countries, then by cities, trickling all the way down to towns branching off into neighborhoods and individual homes that house different cultures, religions, races, genders, and political views, which ultimately create segregation. Of course there are many reasons as to why our world has come down to the -oh so- apparent separation between individuals and their cities. Empowered spaces can be the cause of flourishing environments and some times even entire countries. The focus of my investigation will be on cities, studying their characteristics and what makes them segregated and what unites them. Bridging together two different entities can make for an interesting space of empowerment. Using architecture to transform segregation into unity is the new way of acceptance of the unusual . When borders are crossed unnoticed because of architecture we can say that an empowered space was created and it bridged two spaces together unforced. The fi rst step will be to identify the city’s strengths and weaknesses by locating physical characteristics. While the second step will be to identify the issues, asking questions like; Do heavy populated cities have empowered spaces? If so, to who are they targeted to? Do cities with great economic growth have empowered spaces? If so, to who are they targeted to? The ultimate question in the fi rst phase while investigating these great cities will be; do these cities have empowered spaces that target everyone creating diversity and culture? If so, is that the cause for less segregation within the city, leaving room for more success? Are cities like London, New York, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong (just to name a few) cities that just happened to become desirable cities and have fast growing economies? Or do their strengths outshine their weaknesses because of more spaces of empowerment? Another question to bring up that may spark future ideas is; are cities like London and New York as far as cities can expand? Are these cities in need of bigger and better empowered spaces? It’s time to focus the attention on places in need of identity and culture, and whether they exist in cities or not there is never an end for the need to create spaces for those to learn, share ideas, and connect with other individuals of common interests.