Mar 12, 2025

What future we should strive for, amidst the advent of technology like AI?


urban management urban planning technology role AI, LLM, netherlands, amsterdam, utrecht, hague, rotterdam


Like there is no tomorrow, it's amusing to think of a generation that thought of being modern enough to rush and claim the title of “Modern”, ranging from modern art to modern architecture, to modern history, and whatnot; and likewise, generation X, Y, Z, until there is no alphabet left.

Not to their surprise, every time when mankind thought they reached the pinnacle of socio-technological revolution, the height of intellect and the best of lifestyle and prosperity that money could bring; there came a new revolution in one sphere or another, say technological or collective consciousness, to challenge their much deliberated and beloved conclusion; to inevitably reshape the landscape – say, like what we see today with the advent of AI which seems to be disrupting every walk of life, in a way no one thought of a few years ago.

Not to forget that most of such “modern” movements found their origin and reasoning, either in retaliation to the inefficient preceding socio-economic system or remain rooted in the ambition to bring a new fair, just, and equal socio-economic order - the quest continues.

Given that every historical period remains modern in its unique context, every generation should remain humble and receptive to what the future beholds, and not lose sight of the ultimate outcome that is envisaged - with whatever tools and whatever means they have at their disposal in their vernacular period - that is, to strive for a fair, just, and equal socio-economic order; enabled through tech, or without.

Whether modern enough or not, today we do have signs already that AI for instance, will be a catalyst to achieve such desired socio-economic order, much faster, in the coming years, the way it is making the world a level playfield - by empowering individuals, small businesses and smaller communities for instance with resources (e.g. AI tools) which they previously didn’t have access to;  as well as democratizing the knowledge by enabling wider and deeper access to knowledge unlike ever in history (e.g. LLM), among others.

The impact of AI and its results are likely to be seen on many fronts, from cities making mindful choices amidst scarce resources, to citizens taking the right actions since being able to understand the impact of the choices they make, beforehand. New Fintech, Agritech, MedTech, Social-tech etc. powered by AI will be able to help those, who need the help most, in unprecedented ways - not only relying on traditional channels of charity, philanthropy, or grants and subsidies, but essentially by empowering them at the grassroots level; hence paving a faster way to a fair, just, and equal socio-economic system.

Interesting times indeed!

Author: Anoop Jha
Founder, Urban Tenets, Netherlands
https://urbantenets.nl/

City administrations must pay attention to how social media influencers are playing a big role in the way their cities function!

urban management social media influencers role in city management smart cities, public policy governance



The rise of hashtagSocialMedia influencers –

You see it yourself, on hashtagInstagram and hashtagYouTube, to name some. Pictures of your cities so mesmerizing that they can't wait to visit, short video hashtagblogs and hashtagreels about localities, logistics, and events so informative that they don’t need to buy a traditional travel planner book or visit tourism website.

Influenced by these; before city administration knows and gets a chance to plan and prepare for what's coming their way; millions of people already bookmark or make up their mind to visit their city in the next 1 to 5 years, many coming this summer or winter itself.

It's not only limited to hashtagtourists, but social media influencers successfully influence and shape behaviour of hashtaglocals as well, in turn impacting how your city functions on a day-to-day basis.

hashtagFood, hashtagtravel and hashtaglifestyle bloggers, help make certain neighbourhoods, streets, markets so popular that it starts attracting much more footfall and traffic to these localities than originally planned and envisaged, with imaginable externalities (increased economic activities, traffic congestion, parking woes and noise issues etc). Scores of people plan to come there on weekends and weekdays alike as everyone wants to take the heavenly bite from the overnight popular eatery and hashtagviral food truck.

High visibility of such neighborhoods in turn also impacts the real estate prices (it may go in any direction, but mostly increase in prices); pressure on regulatory front can also be witnessed (need or demand for change in adjoining land usage) etc.

The power of informal sector –

No one thought while planning cities that less regulated activities like social media, would emerge to have so much power that it may influence the city functionality, at a scale that could be visible.

Social media influencers must be considered an important stakeholder segment today in hashtagurbanmanagement, if you want your city to function well, also if you want to rebrand and reposition your city.

What hashtagCityAdministrations can do –

-Talk to them, engage with them, if needed empanel them in numbers, create an ecosystem

-Use their platforms as an augmentation of city’s informal communication channel, and latent branding tool

-Take their help in driving traffic and footfall to less popular areas of city, cultural segments, itinerary or excursion

-Plan better, plan with flexibility in mind, plan with statutory agility.

Non traditional actors of cities have started to take center stage, and cities must pay attention!

Author: Anoop Jha
Founder, Urban Tenets,
Netherlands