#Urban realms model chapter drivers

In a cognitive city, city elements are linked digitally in real-time and could learn, adapt and respond to interactions. In a smart city model, the digital presentation of the city can learn, measure and document the conditions of the physical settings however, interaction with the city user is limited to preliminary applications such as sensing and recording. In a smart city, city elements are connected digitally, where a limited manner of interaction occurs between the city components together and between the city and its users. In a regular city, city elements are disconnected digitally, and the city fabric is static and non-responsive to changes or interactions. In order to differentiate between the digital city model and the regular city model, research classifies the city in three main models: regular city, smart city and cognitive city. In general, the digital city concept could be conceived as an umbrella for achieving interdisciplinary objectives, such as smart living, innovative economy and smart infrastructures.

In contrast, others express the concept as the stabilizing of a healthier, environment-friendly and climate-resilient city.

Some studies refer to the concept as the creation of an interconnected and virtual city infrastructure, and others refer to the concept as the development of a collective city data capital. Nevertheless, no consensus has yet been reached around the definition of digital city among scholars. The concept started to thrive in related research, presenting a novel perspective for the future of our cities. The concept of “Digital City” emerged in the early 21st century due to the revolution in the ICT industry that revealed many opportunities for thinking beyond the possible.

#Urban realms model chapter drivers

One of the main drivers to understand the future city paradigm is the concept of the digital city.

This system is anticipated to enable novel dimensions on learning and analysing the events and conditions of the physical setting, and accordingly, contributes to enhancing the quality and performance of the physical built environment. The principles of digitalisation are built around the transformation of the physical built environment into an interactive, responsive and interconnected digital system that is accessed, monitored and facilitated virtually. In the context of the built environment, the concept of digitalisation is depicted as the restructuring of the physical setting of a physical environment into a digital, intangible and virtual environment. Digitalisation is one of the major advances of the 21st century that emerged and developed with the advancement of the information, communication and technology (ICT) industry. The 21st century imparted novel advances in technologies changing the way researchers think, perceive and interact with our cities, the urban realm and the built environment.