Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to explore the visible and invisible aspects and elements of contemporary urban environments and regions through a review of the research and practice literature on smart cities. Using an exploratory case study approach combined with an explanatory correlational design, the relationship between the visible and invisible is explored with individuals in multiple small- to medium- to large-sized cities in a range of countries. This chapter is significant in that it explores the nature of the relationship between the visible and the invisible in smart urban environments and regions. Key contributions of this work include 1) providing a review of the research and practice literature for urban visibilities and invisibilities in smart cities, 2) exploring theory associated with the visible and invisible in smart cities, and 3) formulating and operationalizing a conceptual framework for visibilities and invisibilities in support of emerging smart city research and opportunities.