ABSTRACT
This chapter questions cities’ pursuit of smart technologies to reach sustainable use and management of resources. For that, the chapter examines the smart cities trend in Israel, a country which highly advocates advanced technologies, develops rapidly and presents unsustainable resources consumption and production. Through a review of literature, data-sets and publications from media and relevant stakeholders the chapter finds the following. First, relying mostly on smart solutions would not suffice for Israeli cities to reach sustainable urban development and well-being. Second, Israeli cities should consider potential challenges and risks to the sustainable use of resources that advanced technologies bring about. Lastly, focusing mostly on existing, available regulatory and political tools rather than on smart solutions appear to be more promising for sustainable use of resources. The chapter concludes with key points as of the broader implications from the Israeli case to cities elsewhere.
