EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Smart Cities are the future reality of all municipalities around the world. By 2050, an estimated nine billion people will inhabit earth and seven in ten people will live in cities. To manage this large-scale urbanization, cities are turning to digital technologies to integrate information and communication systems into various technical systems and infrastructure, thereby setting the stage for smart cities.

This white paper discusses the history, risks, advantages and disadvantages of Smart Cities with a focus on its economic benefits, cost of implementation and challenges. It includes a case study of Smart City development in Dubai, and lays out concrete steps for architects and senior managers on the successful implementation of Smart Cities.