Slashdot Mirror
Inside Amsterdam's Efforts To Become a Smart City
First time accepted submitter MollsEisley writes Throughout Amsterdam there are "Living Labs," or communities that act as petri dishes for ideas and initiatives to be tested before scaling them across the city. In IJburg, Amsterdam's youngest neighborhood, projects like free Wi-Fi and a new Fiber network, personalized television and transportation services, and a coworking space allow residents to experiment and test city projects to improve healthcare, environment, and energy programs in the city.
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As in any of these schemes, it is an attempt by the people who once laughed at Nerds to cash in on our success by getting governments and councils to throw money at wishy-washy, ill thought out plans that almost always waste that money because they are not instead run by those same Nerds.
It would be nice if legislators also tested their ideas for unintended consequences before making them permanent.
Any sufficiently unpopular but cohesive argument is indistinguishable from trolling.
I don't know, but that sure sounds a bit prejudice against the dutch.
projects like free Wi-Fi
Free and funded by tax are not the same thing. Claiming that things are free when they're paid for by the state's theft is disingenuous and intellectually dishonest. Taxation is theft.
I'm sure colorblind people will appreciate the color-coded maps.
Ijburg is a relatively new speculative development that's having trouble breaking even because of the crisis and it's pumping some cash into marketing creatives to prop up its appeal.
You should check out "Creativity And The Capitalist City" http://vimeo.com/49254956 it paints a fairly credible picture (although you Americans will start screaming "soclalism" before the title screen fades out...) Smart City my ass... go check Eindhoven if you want to see some potential in a de-gentrified area; Amsterdam is mostly Sales, Marketing and Advertisement.
Ah, the Trouw - one of the best Clubs in Europe - has just shuttered its doors to make space for a "Student Hotel"... pathetic
Mi domando chi à il mandante di tutte le cazzate che faccio - Altan
Smart city? Here? You must be kidding.
no, I don't have a sig
Amsterdam is a wonderful city for so many reasons. The intellectual, creative, and entrepreneurial capacity of its citizens and visitors has been apparent for centuries. This particular project won't influence Amsterdam's reputation much one way or the other.
My observation is that there is very little response from the slashdot community on this particular topic. That might be an indication that many slashdotters have not had the opportunity to go there.
It is true that back when I went, last millennium, marijuana was not legal in the US and the Bulldog Cafe's world renown was a great enticement to the land of orange, while in Europe. That reputation was never one of great intellectual value, and perhaps neither is this story. Nevertheless, I encourage every geek or non geek to make it a priority to burn some jet fuel and get your ass over to Europe and spend a few weeks with a first class Euro Rail train pass. Its way better for you and your intellect than a new car, and you will be a better, smarter person as a result of the experience.
If you can't manage to go at this time then try to appreciate the geek perspective of dutch sensibility in Teller's film "Tim's Vermeer"
Amsterdam is a very smart city, and you should see it and think about it if you can!
Do you know what percentage of Dutch speak English? It's 91%. In Ireland--an English-speaking country--its only 94%. Even more amazing is the median number of languages spoken by Dutch people is 3. Dutch, English and something else (French, German, etc.) I work for a Dutch company and they're conservative, but very sharp.
Don't let the stereotypes about prostitutes and pot smokers fool you. The Dutch are not idiots.