Technological and cultural dimensions of a safe MIL city

Sociology and social research dealt with security and safety in the urban spaces since the growing development of big cities close to the industrial areas. This proximity favoured the idea that the security of the urban space could be a commercial product as profitable for companies as essential for citizens. During the last century this “material” connotation has been enriched by a transdisciplinary interpretation that now, after the architectural and engineering shares, could be better managed by the sociological interpretation of the up-to-date meaning of safety and security and of their metrics in the contemporary urban spaces. This objective highlights a new step in the evolution of the urban space: the implementation of the safety systems with new technologies could realize a “smart city” only when the citizens will be part of this connected space. It could be possible if everyone is connected to the safety system – that must be totally connected in each element – to assure responsiveness and efficacy. Information, awareness and, then, knowledge for the citizens are recognised as the basic components of a sustainable and safe city as the MIL city is in the running to be. The data selection, collection, management and interpretation assume a strategic function in order to correctly know the changing and growing urban spaces, to better inform citizens and city-users and to efficiently monitor the several (un)predictable situations. Some best practices (on migrants, vulnerable citizens, tourists) will enlighten about the new meaning of urban safety and implementation of technological and “cultural” dimensions of a “safe MIL city”.