Zaheer Allam 
Cities and the Digital Revolution 
Aligning technology and humanity

This book explores the emergence and development of data in cities. It exposes how Information Communication Technology (ICT) corporations seeking to capitalize on cities developing needs for urban technologies have contributed to many of the issues we are faced with today, including urbanization, centralization of wealth and climate change. Using several case studies, the book provides examples of the, in part, detrimental effects ICT driven ‘Smart City’ solutions have had and will have on the human characteristics that contribute to the identity and sense of belonging innate to many of our cities. 






The rise in Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and technologies like social media, has changed how people interact with and in cities, and Allam discusses of how these changes require planners, engineers and other urban professionals to adjust their approach. The main question the book seeks to address is ‘how can we use emerging technologies to recalibrate our cities and ensure increased livability, whilst also effectively dealing with their associate challenges?’ This is an ongoing conversation, but one that requires extensive thought as it has extensive consequences. This book will be of interest to students, academics, professionals and policy makers across a broad range of subjects including urban studies, architecture and STS, geography and social policy.

Table of Content

Foreword – By Robert J. Marks II.- Preface.- Chapter 1: Data as the New Driving Gears of Urbanisation.- Chapter 2: Urban Chaos and the AI Messiah.- Chapter 3: Digital Urban Networks and Social Media.- Chapter 4: Privatisation and Privacy in the Digital City.- Chapter 5: On Culture, Global Cities and Technology.- Conclusion.

About the author

Zaheer Allam is based in Mauritius and works as an Urban Strategist for the Port Louis Development Initiative (PLDI) and the Global Creative Leadership Initiative. He received his Ph D from Curtin University, Australia, holds an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University, UK and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Architectural Science from Curtin University, Australia. Zaheer is the African Representative of the International Society of Biourbanism (ISB) and a member of the Advisory Circle of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA). He was elevated, by the President of Mauritius, to the rank of Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (OSK); the highest distinct order of Merit in Mauritius.