ABSTRACT
Urban development led by the application of information communication technologies (ICTs) has emerged as an important discourse in relation to the future growth, efficiency and prosperity of cities. Entire cities based on smart principles, are currently being constructed in Asia and the Arab world by giant corporate IT, engineering and building firms. Discussions about smart cities in academic circles are of course more varied, diverse and complex than these corporate utopian visions or cinematic false dawns. Part of this more complex understanding comes down to the varied ways the term has been employed or linked to related concepts. First, the chapter looks critically at how people currently understand the smart city, specifically focusing on the rising trend towards corporate and entrepreneurial governance versions. Spun by the CEOs and smart city technocrats of corporate ICT companies is a narrative imbued with images of technologically led progress, efficiency and prosperity for all.
