CITIES OF THE FUTURE; THE GENESIS, GROWTH, DYSTOPIAAND UTOPIA REFLECTIONS

Abstract

Cities were birthed without preparation, growing without pruning, and degenerating without
remedy. Rapid and irreversible urbanization has changed the faces and destinies of cities,
calling philosophers and scholars alike into action. The scenario has raised two voices;
dystopian and utopian. Dystopia sees today's cities as bad, agonizing, and can only offer
dreadful quality of life while utopia envisages a 'perfect city' as a sustainable solution. Hence, a
smart city is a way forward; smart technology, smart people, smart governance, smart
economy, smart environment, smart infrastructure, and smart living. No matter how cities are
viewed, however, they still offer tremendous opportunities for human capital development,
and economic and administrative hubs for better and prosperous life

Keywords: Dystopia, Utopia, Smart City, Future City, and Information Technology