Smart Cities vs. Dumb Cities

The startup world is abuzz with “smart cities.” Just add tech, and everything will get better, right? Sensors, data, connected cars. It’s good the cost of collecting data is going down. But simply making cities “smart” isn’t going to solve their problems.

Enter the “dumb city.” Concrete, asphalt, street furniture, lighting, drainage and sewage. Infrastructure. The built environment has the power to change behavior. Design the street differently, and drivers slow down. People walking and biking feel safe, and buses work more efficiently. Perhaps getting the dumb city right is the smartest thing you can do.