In his recently presentation at a technology conference, Jason shared his insights on “CULTURE, INNOVATION AND THE SMART CITY”.
CULTURE, INNOVATION AND THE SMART CITY
Oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface; deserts cover approximately 20% and cities only cover 3% of our planet (CIESIN, 2004). Yet since 2007, half of the world’s population have been living in cities (UN, 2008). This number is set to increase to 70% by 2050, as people continue to migrate in belief of the social, economic and cultural prospects that cities seem to offer. The often-seen results of overcrowding, waste, energy and water consumption, pollution, traffic congestion and environmental degradation in cities do little to deter the migratory patterns of citizens seeking better lives. If we want to continue enjoying life in cities, then cities have to become more efficient, sustainable and embrace the benefits of what the digital revolution has to offer. Ultimately, cities have to be both smarter and greener if they are to be transformative of local and global economies. In Songdo, South Korea, we see a city that seeks to embrace technology as a means of spurring North Asian economic growth. In Bandung, Indonesia, we see a city that taps into the creative consciousness of its citizens to enhance the quality and productivity of the city. In Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we see a city that harnesses innovation and the circular economy to be self-sufficient and resilient. From these case studies, we can witness three generations of smart city evolution with unique insights into the inter-relationships between civil society, state, academia and corporation.
Jason Pomeroy is an award-winning architect, academic, author and TV presenter, regarded as one of the world’s thought leaders in sustainable design. He is the Founder of Singapore-based Pomeroy Studio, Jason Pomeroy Architects and Pomeroy Academy: sustainable urbanism, architecture, design, research and education firms. His career has included critically-acclaimed green cities, buildings and landscapes: from the microscale of the first zero-carbon house in Asia, to the macroscale of Indonesia’s ‘Silicon Valley’. Pomeroy has authored Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation (2020), Pod Off-Grid: Explorations into Low Energy Waterborne Communities (2016), The Skycourt and Skygarden: Greening the Urban Habitat (2014) and Idea House: Future Tropical Living Today (2011). He continues to raise cultural awareness of cities through his TV series Smart Cities 2.0, City Time Traveller, Futuropolis and City Redesign. He gained Bachelor and Master degrees from the Canterbury School of Architecture and the University of Cambridge, and a PhD from the University of Westminster.