The ‘autonomous city’ explores the possibility of urban areas evolving from the dimension of data gathering to that of action response – so a city able to collect data and render real time decisions to self-manage a variety of functions based on its interpretation of that data.

Chapter 1: Introducing the Concept of Autonomous City.- Chapter 2: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and the Rise of Autonomous Smart Cities.- Chapter 3: On Complexity, Connectivity and Autonomy in Future Cities.- Chapter 4: On Global Capitalism and Autonomous Smart Cities: A View on the Economic Engines of Tomorrow.- Chapter 5: The Case for Autonomous Smart Cities in the Wake of Climate Change.- Chapter 6: Global Tourism and the Risks of Cultural Homogeinity in Smart and Future Cities.

This book introduces the concept of the ‘autonomous city’- a concept that has been developed from the ‘smart cities’ model and is based on a city’s ability to gather data then taking it one step further. The digital revolution has brought about numerous changes in the urban realm, along with the understanding that technology can aid in increasing the performance and efficiency of urban areas. This technology has given rise to a wealth of data allowing urban leaders to respond better to crisis and craft policies that increase the liveability of urban areas. The ‘autonomous city’ explores the possibility of urban areas evolving from the dimension of data gathering to that of action response – so a city able to collect data and render real time decisions to self-manage a variety of functions based on its interpretation of that data. The book discusses how this could lead to the automation of select urban dimensions for increased efficiency and performance, but also details how such a process would require careful consideration when put into practice. This book will be a valuable resource for scholars and students across Urban Planning, Sustainability and STS, as well as practitioners and policy makers involved in the development of urban life.Zaheer Allam is based in Mauritius and works as an urban strategist on urban regenerative policies in African cities. He is the African Representative of the International Society of Biourbanism (ISB) and a member of the Advisory Circle of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA). For his contributions to society, he was elevated, by the President of Mauritius, to the rank of Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (OSK); the highest distinct order of Merit in Mauritius.

Introduces a new concept - ‘autonomous cities’ Posits the next big development in cities will be the jump from gathering date to using this to make automated decisions Explores both the opportunities and potential issues with the increased use of AI and big data in urban spaces

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