64 for processing, storing and remotely communicating by electronic means, in addition to their limited lifespan, are not exempt from failure or fragility, particularly in the event of climate change. Cities are so dependent on these systems that one might fear for their reliability in the event of heat spikes or flooding. For this reason, the trend is to redirect smart cities toward a combination of digital technologies and biodiversity development. TOWARD EQUAL ACCESS? The high financial cost involved in infrastructure maintenance, the substantial size of informal economies, and various governance challenges are curtailing government idealism regarding smart cities. Moreover, the demographic question and consequently unequal access to the lavish riches of ICT, particularly between the cities of the Global North and South, counterbalance the virtuous aspect of smart cities in the field of energy. From Santiago to Paris Santiago de Chile has a ”green” subway 60% powered by wind and solar energy, with operational agility provided by smart grids. Barcelona (Spain) is aiming for energy self‑sufficiency by 2050 through the use of renewables – solar photovoltaic, biogas and geothermal energy. The Catalan capital is a European smart city leader through its management of office real estate, connected street furniture, 100% electric transport, predictive elevator maintenance, and water network management. Europe thus features prominently in the top 10 smart cities worldwide. In France, Lyon is at the cutting edge with the implementation of its La Confluence district, the first positive energy block. DISCOVER the full article in our online magazine Constructing a sustainable future SPoTLIGHT
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