Smart Cities, Grids, Homes and the Workforce: Challenges and Prospects

The chapter explores specific developments and opportunities in smart technology in cities as well as the interface with the workforce. The first part of the chapter looks at technological development in smart grids and smart homes: integration of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) such as Internet of Things and advanced algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to manage energy in urban areas and support user awareness or operator observation. The “smartness” of smart cities is defined. The enablers including AI and ICT, and their applications and benefits for users are discussed. The interoperability layers of smart grids architecture model are presented, and the importance of multidisciplinary ex-ante analysis of newly developed technologies and distributed intelligence is highlighted. The second part relates to the urban workforce. This is distinctive as most literature on smart cities looks at the impact on people as residents/users—not as workers. This part starts by discussing the overall impact of the development of smart grids and homes in the workforce across the sectors of the urban economy. Following, it concentrates on workers in trades related to the built environment. It argues that technological developments need a restructuring of vocational training, which may lead to a more skilled workforce with better working conditions. At the same time, it may reduce the quantity of employment, therefore part of the wealth generated by economic growth derived from technological advancements should be used to strengthen social protection. The chapter makes proposals to address current challenges, reaching a win–win situation.