ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the steps toward a model that can unify the perspectives of the professions in the Urban Systems Collaborative. It develops with examples of Smart Cities and why this movement is so active. The chapter discusses the importance of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) vis-a-vis the mission and strategic goals of Smart Cities. CSFs are the key variables or conditions that have a tremendous impact on how successfully and effectively the Smart City design team meets its mission or the strategic goals or objectives of a project. The chapter considers how information technology plays roles in shaping new norms of behavior intended to facilitate the continuing growth of dense populations. It explains a key hypothesis of the Urban Systems Collaborative that the increasing accessibility of information will enable us to develop urban systems models that are capable of helping citizens, entrepreneurs, civic organizations, and governments.
