Philosophical context and questions about the future of technological revolution in architecture and urbanism: ecological, economic, sociological progress or a step back

Abstract

This paper elaborates the problems which science and the profession are facing, in relation to the development of new technologies in the function of smart cities in architecture and urbanism, with a special focus on large cities. What high technologies bring to us, and what they deprive us of, is increasingly becoming a sociological and philosophical question. Armies of scientists, experts of various profiles, politicians, journalists and even artists have been engaged in research aimed at mitigating the negative effects of climate change on large cities, increasing their resilience and the ability to adapt to numerous challenges. However, humanity, especially in cities, is reacting inadequately and inefficiently in the face of climate change. Huge funds are spent in different ways, the profits of individual countries, banks and individuals are too high, and the results achieved at the global level are not impressive. On the other hand, the development of new technologies has contributed to the great progress of cities around the world, but it is often a kind of illusion. Reality has been replaced by virtual reality. Economic power, consumerism and profit have become a new ideology in many areas, and it is especially visible in construction. The position of investors and politicians, in fierce competition for prestige and gaining material profit through fast and low-quality construction in cities, is becoming an important segment in the strategy of many, especially developed countries. All this further widens the gap between rich and poor across the planet. New technologies, sustainable development, new concepts in urban planning are visible, but often powerless to face the demands of big capital and economic arguments, which impose a new paradigm not only in planning, but in all spheres of society. Are the experts and scientists numerous enough, well-trained, how much of them believe that can face, stop and resolve some of the negative trends of new technologies, to make the most of positive opportunities and adapt them to sustainable development, is probably one of the biggest dilemmas and challenges of our time. In addition, there are numerous ethical questions in the work of experts and dilemmas - whether it is possible and how to resist such large-capital development and how to justify the paradigm of a sustainable and resilient city.