Introduction

Abstract

I introduce the focus of the book, provide some background into the growing problems inherent with urban growth, and briefly discuss how cities are beginning to address these problems through various digital technological initiatives. I discuss how the book seeks to unpack some of the rhetoric around the “digital city” and examine a number of digital technological initiatives and programs to better understand some of the socio-economic implications of urban digitization. I introduce the three US urban case studies the book explores, as well as explain that while the book is focused on US cities, it is still relevant to larger understandings of urban digitization around the world. I introduce each city and its larger goals, and provide chapter summaries.