Chapter 5

Smart cities as drivers of a green economy

Osman Balaban

Abstract

The current economic system is highly unsustainable. It has created an economic crisis and an ecological crisis, which seriously threaten the future of our planet and societies. Both crises could be overcome by transitioning to a green economy. The green economy concept is based on the idea that the conventional model of economic development is socially and environmentally unsustainable, and argues that we should move toward a new economy, which respects natural boundaries and ecological limits, and responds to the needs of the poor and the disadvantaged.

Cities are in a position to facilitate the transition to a greener economy. This is not only because cities ...

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