Learning Cities as Smart Cities

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the connections between technology and lifelong learning and the respective initiatives of smart cities and learning cities. The Pew Research Center reports that place-based learning remains vital for pursuing knowledge especially from digital technology. This means that although learning occurs in traditional places (home, work, or community), the use of technology further enhances learner engagement across the entire society. As such, learning cities is a placed-based initiative for implementing education and lifelong learning. Smart cities, similarly, expand the implementation of education and lifelong learning, but through a broader medium of digital technology and the internet. The important connection between lifelong learning (as learning cities) and technology (as smart cities) is the aim for providing access to every individual in society. This chapter offers an analysis of two concepts representing these two cities' initiatives.