Smart cities: are they really sustainable? (Chapter 1)

The aim of this chapter is to investigate the processes that have led to the inclusion of urban requalification projects in global policies and to critically analyze, in this regard, some of their environmental performances. How much pollution are we willing to put up within the cities? Is it necessary to have zero pollution? Is there a compromise with regard to the obvious social and environmental incongruities present in many cities? What is the tolerable limit of viability? The implications of the «Industry 4.0» revolution, strictly based on the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), are here briefly summarized. The «European Green City Index» project is then discussed to establish a useful set of environmental performance indicators. Eventually, lights and shadows of smart cities are discussed: we highlight that the lack of a common methodology for the parameters’ definition generates uncertainty making results hardly comparable. For instance, regarding Objective 11 target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), there are important gaps in terms of definitions and execution modalities. It is necessary to determine precise evaluation criteria on what is «adequate housing», on how to measure «universal access», or on what is a «safe, economic, sustainable and accessible transport system». It would be necessary to entrust responsibilities to specific subjects and to define targeted and well-organized areas of intervention. Additionally, more hard work is needed in order to integrate the slums as a viable part of the concept of sustainable cities.