New technologies opposing urban sustainability

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the impacts of new technologies on urban sustainability. First, it briefly presents those new technological developments affecting urban life of individuals. Then, it focuses on new spatial phenomena which are encouraged by new technologies and opposing urban sustainability: (a) urban sprawl, exurban new centralities and the 'dispersed city ', and (b) the socio-demographic restructuring and diminishing of inner city areas. It finally discusses green architecture and energy-save buildings which nowadays are feasible by new technological developments, and in this sense, they may moderate the negative impacts of new technologies on cities.