The concept of smart cities acknowledges the fast pace urban environments change as well as the need for more intelligent and encompassing approaches, which include all sectors into decision-making. New technologies enable to close the gap between constantly changing conditions and the response pace/scope of implemented answers. From intelligent transport systems, smart grids, to sophisticated geolocalization services: the main challenge remains how to make smart cities different from their predecessors ? The industrial, service-based, and creative cities were often as much engine of growth as of inequality and exclusion.
GIMLA created a Working Group on Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Environments (WISE) in order to foster cutting edge research and cross-sectoral exchanges on the growing interest of smart cities in Latin America. The aim of WISE is to stimulate multi-disciplinary debates with a more human-centered focus by creating synergies between research, teaching, and outreach activities. The working group generates new insights into the multiple ways new technologies might reverse certain urbanization trends and contribute to more sustainable and inclusive development.
The inaugural event, a workshop co-organized with swissnex Brazil, took place on September 18, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro. Further events are envisioned in 2019. In order to stay informed about but also part-take in our future outreach and research activities, consider replying to our call for expressions of interest.