Title of the research: The Nature and Challenges of the “Smart Layer”: Modes of Spatial Production in Smart City Projects
under the supervision of Dr. Bechara Helal
Abstract: My dissertation focuses on architecture in the context of the Smart City (SC), a model of urban development in which information and communication technologies (ICT) are intended to improve the quality of life for city dwellers. Beyond their technical aspects, I am interested in the transformations taking place in the architecture of Smart Cities and their significance at different project scales. My research introduces the concept of the “smart stratum” (SS), which groups together, under a single category, all the systems that give smart cities their “smart” character. It centers on the following question: To what extent and through what mechanisms does the SS affect architectural production in smart city projects? It seeks to answer this question by comparing project design guidelines to identify the effects of the IS on architectural design conditions, building uses, and programmed experiences.