Technology AND Political Will

Sanjo International Business District in South Korea hopes to be most connected city in the future, incorporating sustainability through its live and advanced video conferencing abilities in all civic institutions, large green spaces, and inter-connected public transit. China hopes to build 200 smart cities and Abu Dhabi is currently planning construction for an automobile-free, solar-powered smart city. In the U.S. on the other hand, the focus is brought on retrofitting because new cities simply cannot be built. We have enough domestic issues and an unbelievable amount of debt to deal with already. 

Software could help our cities and communities follow the Curitiba path. Regulations should be made, and technology will simply make it easier to enforce restrictions on resource use. Currently, America’s priority is to save space and resources. That's why, under my Mobility page, I have included urban gondola systems and bicycle transport improvements as best examples for future transit options. A research team at MIT has already developed an electric car capable of being folded and/or stacked, as well as light bulbs which adjust brightness based on available light. Once again, the issue is political will. There needs to be coordination of universities, research centers, technology centers, businesses and government in order for this to happen in the United States (Saskia Sessen).