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Publication

Smart cities: the solution or part of the problem?

Author: Maria Kaika

• environment,
• local
• urban

In May 2016, air pollution in parts of Amsterdam, Maastricht and Rotterdam reached haz- ardous levels, breaking EU quality standards.

But only one month later, a new Dutch smart technology appeared: the Wi-Fi tree; a smart birdhouse that monitors air quality by changing colours. When air quality is good it glows green and as a reward, it offers citizens free Wi-Fi. 

Intervention by Maria Kaika, Professor, Urban, Regional and Environmental Planning, Uni- versity of Amsterdam delivered at the International Conference “Greece Forward III. Progressive Policies for the cities of today and tomorrow” (4th October 2017)