Smart Cities

Start with an overview

The Smart Cities mind map is a starting point. It brings together the question of what smart cities are, their main components, benefits and challenges. It also includes case studies and future trends. Use these headings to get a sense of the ideas covered before moving to a more specific resource.

As you read, make a short list of terms or questions you want to explore further. You can return to the overview map to see where those ideas fit.

Explore city technology and challenges

City and Neighbourhood looks at smart signage, surveillance systems, a wearable air quality sensor and intelligent street lights. Follow its branches to see the kinds of technology included in this resource, then compare them with the components in the Smart Cities overview.

The note on challenges to smart cities offers another perspective. It discusses the need to understand local conditions, culture and realities when using IT, as well as the role of community-wide change. Read it alongside the overview's challenges branch.

Use maps and flashcards together

The flashcard decks cover ideas such as the goal of smart cities, sensor installations and the vision of systems that monitor their own condition. After exploring a mind map, use the cards to recall the ideas and examples you have encountered.

There are no quizzes listed on this page. A free account lets you create your own quiz from the ideas in a map and save your scores. You can also use it to make your own mind maps, flashcards and notes.

Place the topic in its unit

Smart Cities is a section of the Emerging Technologies unit in Computing and ICT (programming, computer science, digital skills, educational technology). The resources on this page offer different ways to explore that section, from broad definitions to specific city technologies and challenges. Pick a map or flashcard deck and follow the ideas that interest you.