Smart Cities—A Vision of the Future or the Present?

Abstract

This chapter aims to look more closely at the subject of smart cities in view of sustainable development. The discussion about the concept of smart cities is becoming particularly important from the perspective of dynamic urban processes. Authorities of growing metropolises handle not only greater space that must he managed hut also all consequences resulting from the phenomenon such as slums or traffic congestions. That is why, they more often resort to modern technologies which facilitate and improve the quality of inhabitants life. At the same time they try to get citizens involved into issues concerning building the social capital. The chapter discusses examples of technological improvements applied in selected cities aspiring to be called a smart city.