Ubiquitous Computing, Informatization, Urban Structures and Density

Graham Clarke, Victor Callaghan
2007 Built Environment  
We identify the major challenges to the development of cities over the next century and comment on the challenges to ubiquitous computing over the same period. We describe some ubiquitous computing work on intelligent buildings and on urban development. We describe the effects that the development of ubiquitous computing is having on the world economy and use Hardt and Negri's description of informatization as a new mode of production to consider possible effects on urban development. We
more » ... ze the material limits of the process of informatization in the affective aspects of our lives and in the need for sustenance, clothing, shelter etc however they are delivered. We speculate about the consequences of the development of informatization as a mode of production on the shape, size and density of the cities of the future. We suggest that multi-disciplinary teams including experts in ubiquitous computing be organized to research the possible ways in which cities may be developed. We argue that this takes place against a backdrop of climate change and ecological crisis and needs to be addressed soon.
doi:10.2148/benv.33.2.196 fatcat:scful444y5behminzce6t7edl4