Cities are not immobile structures, immutable to the passage of time and the needs of their inhabitants. They are organisms in constant transformation, capable of adapting and evolving along with the demands of the 21st century. In this context, digital transformation emerges as a fundamental pillar for creating smart cities. However, this transition requires more than technology; it requires a change of mentality on the part of the rulers, who must understand the dimensions of the Fifth Industrial Revolution and leave behind the traditional approach of their cities as rigid entities.
Cities can no longer be seen as fixed structures
By: Gabriel E. Levy B.
For decades, cities were thought of as static environments.
Large cities grew according to their physical infrastructures: buildings, roads, mass transportation systems.
Urban rulers and planners conceived their cities as a kind of machinery designed to remain operational under a strict logic of efficiency and control.
This vision was especially entrenched during the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century, when cities became epicenters of production and economic expansion.
This industrialist approach not only promoted the excessive growth of the metropolises, but also established a way of governing: the city as a space of economic exploitation.
The idea of “machine cities” was widely developed by authors such as Lewis Mumford, who in his work The City in History criticized how modern cities were built under the logic of control and productivity, losing sight of their role as spaces for human interaction and social development.
In these environments, decisions were made based on physical infrastructure, without considering the flexibility and adaptability demanded by contemporary societies.
The challenge now lies in abandoning that obsolete vision of cities as static structures.
Cities in the 21st century must be thought of as living organisms in constant change. To achieve this, technology plays a central role, but not enough. It requires, above all, a change in the way in which rulers understand and manage their territories.
The Fifth Industrial Revolution: A Paradigm Shift
The digital transformation we are witnessing is part of a much deeper change, identified by some experts as the Fifth Industrial Revolution. While the Fourth Industrial Revolution put the spotlight on automation, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), the Fifth Revolution emphasizes the integration and collaboration between technology and humans to solve complex problems in a more holistic way.
This revolution is not limited to the use of advanced technologies, but is committed to a symbiosis between people and machines, where artificial intelligence is not only a tool to optimize resources, but also an ally in making more inclusive and sustainable decisions. In this sense, Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, argues that technology should be at the service of society and not the other way around. The Fifth Industrial Revolution, unlike the fourth, puts people at the center of the technological innovation process.
For a city to become an intelligent entity under the precepts of the Fifth Revolution, the rulers must embrace a new way of thinking. It is no longer enough to promote “smart city” projects based solely on the digitalisation of public services, such as transport or energy management. It is imperative to understand that digital transformation must be accompanied by a deep understanding of the human and social nature of cities.
Local leaders need a vision where technology not only solves logistical problems, but allows for the creation of flexible scenarios where communities can collaborate and adapt quickly to changes. Flexibility, adaptability and resilience are key characteristics in this new smart city model.
Digital transformation must be human
Digital transformation is not just a set of technologies implemented on an urban scale; it is a structural change in the way cities are managed and inhabited. Technology, by itself, does not make a city smart. This concept also requires a humane and flexible approach, which promotes collaboration and the well-being of its inhabitants.
Barcelona, recognised for being a pioneer in the smart city model, has shown how technology can be at the service of people and not the other way around. From implementing a network of sensors that optimises energy consumption to creating apps that allow citizens to actively participate in urban decision-making, the Catalan capital has developed a digital ecosystem that connects people with their surroundings. However, this type of initiative is not only developed from the technological sphere, but also from the understanding of the city as a flexible and dynamic entity.
On the other hand, cities like Singapore have embraced a different approach. They have managed to implement technologies such as facial recognition to optimize traffic control and public safety. However, its rigid and controlled approach has been criticized for promoting a vision of the city where surveillance and technology replace dialogue and citizen participation. As Evgeny Morozov warns in his book The Madness of Technological Solutionism, not all technological solutions are inherently good. In fact, without a humanistic approach, they risk alienating citizens and creating less inclusive societies.
The challenges of Latin American cities
In Latin America, cities face a double challenge: they must adapt to the digital age while still struggling with structural problems from the last century, such as inequality, lack of infrastructure, and corruption. Bogotá, Mexico City and Buenos Aires have launched various initiatives to digitize their public services and improve the quality of life of their citizens. However, the lack of a comprehensive vision in many of these projects has made it difficult for cities to fully transform themselves into smart entities.
In conclusion
For a city to achieve a true digital transformation and become a smart city, its leaders must change their way of thinking. It is not enough to implement advanced technology. It is crucial to understand the dimensions of the Fifth Industrial Revolution, which is committed to the integration between humans and technology. Cities should be seen as flexible scenarios, where innovation and constant adaptation are the key to facing the challenges of the future.
