Pixel by Pixel: Constructing Smart Cities with AI Building Blocks

Lukas Kopac () and Subhankar Das ()
Additional contact information
Lukas Kopac: Slovak University of Technology
Subhankar Das: Duy Tan University

A chapter in Generative AI for a Net-Zero Economy, 2025, pp 177-195 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The challenging nature of urbanism requires us to think differently about how we plan and manage cities to address multiple aspects (infrastructure, environment, social, etc.). This chapter introduces a novel framework called the AI building blocks framework (ABBF), which aids the incremental, AI-driven development of smart cities and consists of modular building blocks. The framework consists of four interlocking layers: data infrastructure (IoT sensors and open standards), analytical intelligence (predictive algorithms and digital twins), applications (smart mobility and climate resilience), and governance (participatory platforms and equity audits). This allows cities to offer tailor-made solutions to citizens while maintaining systemic coherence. Examples of successful implementations in Barcelona and Singapore illustrate this potential and show how innovative management can reduce traffic congestion, optimize energy use, and enhance climate resilience. However, challenges such as data privacy, funding gaps, and algorithmic bias must be managed proactively. The framework recommends a phased implementation process of piloting, scaling, and institutionalizing to balance innovation with sustainability. Looking ahead, generative AI, the rise in blockchain, and the international alignment of global policy will continue to shape the conversation, but the barriers of a digital divide and institutional inertia challenge the rationale for success. The ABBF does not treat AI simply as a technology to be harnessed but rather views it as a driver of adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable urban ecosystems.

Keywords: Smart cities; Artificial intelligence; Modular framework; Sustainable urban development; Citizen-centric governance; IoT integration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-981-96-8015-3_11

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/9789819680153

DOI: 10.1007/978-981-96-8015-3_11

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Springer Books from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().