Reading Development

Random readings on society, politics and change – Jorge Carrillo

The Making of the Urban Entrepreneur

Pressures on infrastructure—due to growing urban populations, the ubiquity of new technologies, and collaborative business models—are fostering a new form of entrepreneurship focused on addressing quality of life in cities. … Continue reading

Thursday, 18 May 2017 · Leave a comment

Blockchain for Development – Hope or Hype?

Blockchain technology has been heralded by many as the next big thing. The potential use of blockchains has attracted widespread attention from the media, the IMF, the UN, and the … Continue reading

Tuesday, 16 May 2017 · Leave a comment

Smart-Eco Cities in China: Trends and Profiles 2016

The ‘smart-eco city’ concept captures the recent trend for future-oriented urban development schemes that display both ‘green’ and ‘smart’ ambitions. More precisely, the smart-eco city is defined as “an experimental … Continue reading

Thursday, 20 April 2017 · Leave a comment

Examining “Digital Development”: The Shape of Things to Come?

Diffusion and use of ICTs is such that we can start to talk about a “digital nervous system” for development.  And ICTs are becoming more deeply integrated into all aspects … Continue reading

Saturday, 15 April 2017 · Leave a comment

Big Data and the Well-Being of Women and Girls

This report illustrates the potential of big data in filling the global gender data gap. The rise of big data, however, does not mean that traditional sources of data will … Continue reading

Friday, 24 March 2017 · Leave a comment

Open Data Privacy Playbook

Cities today collect and store a wide range of data that may contain sensitive or identifiable information about residents. As cities embrace open data initiatives, more of this information is … Continue reading

Monday, 13 March 2017 · Leave a comment

Our Digital Rights to the City

‘Our Digital Rights to the City’ is a small collection of articles about digital technology, data and the city. It covers a range of topics relating to the political and … Continue reading

Tuesday, 7 March 2017 · Leave a comment

A City Is Not a Computer

Shannon Mattern – We should reject data-driven models that delegate critical, often ethical decisions to the machine. Urban intelligence is more than information processing. Urban intelligence involves experience, observation, sensory … Continue reading

Sunday, 19 February 2017 · Leave a comment

Value in the Commons Economy: Developments in Open and Contributory Value Accounting

Society is shifting from a production modus based on value created in a market system (through labor and capital) to one which recognizes broader value streams. These streams are experienced … Continue reading

Thursday, 16 February 2017 · Leave a comment