Cyber City
A cyber city is an urban setting that relies on information technology to support its functionality. In other words, it is a self-contained setting characterized by high speed communication, high quality infrastructure and a well decorated surrounding. A cyber city utilizes data developed to support germination of large software companies and information technology enabled services ( Singh & Pelton, 2013) . A cyber city setting is an entirely new setting which also describes a virtual space that relies on computer internet for storage of data. Deren, Qing, Xiafei (2000) define a cyber city as a virtual 3D setting which connects city information with geographical information system (GIS) and stores its central data in computers. Cyber city utilizes technologies such as Virtual Reality Modelling Language and remote sensing technology integrated together through an Internet Protocol (IP) address. It is a city that has been designed using a 3D model which is a main tool that supports urban planning for city management. Additionally, a cyber city is composed of electrical data that runs the daily functions of the establishment (Deren et al., 2000). A cyber city in the modern day world represents a corporate park which houses the best leading technology and software companies. The city is a futuristic commercial hub which is the center of IT activity.
Information City
Information city is a municipality that utilizes i nformation and communication technology infrastructures to share data, increase operational efficiency and communicate with public to improve government services and citizens welfare. In an information city, communication technologies support areas of policy and research such as infrastructure developments. The information city has two dimensional characterizations. First, it is a metropolitan economy mandated to process and distribute information. Second, an information city utilizes infrastructure that comprises of converging technologies which integrates unrelated IT infrastructures. According to Hamilton, Wang, Tanyer, Arayici, Zhang and Song (2005), a n information city focuses on developing early stage information communication and technology infrastructure ventures. Additionally, an information city setting represents a highly resourced businesses network whose primary function is to accelerate advancement of information communications and technology infrastructures. Information cities make use of ICT incubation programs for invention and innovation of new technologies. An information city functionality is supported by companies such as closed Fintech firms, Oceania corporations, financial services organizations and information technology companies ( Hamilton et al., 2005) . Information cities are knowledge intensive set ups that have triggered information revolution through technology enabled infrastructures.
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Digital City
A digital city is a locally focused online setting that delivers content such as localized yellow pages, visitor’s guides, community events and eCommerce through internet enabled architecture. In other words, a digital city is a transformation setting that depends on modern technologies to support functionality of novel and interactive wide services. As Laguerre (2005) explains, it also a digital space that facilitates and augments functions and activities that occur within the setting of a physical city. Globally, digital cities have emerged for example in Seattle, Amsterdam and Kyoto. Successful operationalization of a digital city is dependent on high quality and modern ICT infrastructure. Innovations such as novel IT models support efficiency of digital cities by enabling inhabitant’s mobility, service delivery and infrastructural development. Computer and network technologies are critical in determining the success of the digital cities in terms of realization of its objectives. New digital cities make use of telecommunication networks to enable large volume transmission of machine to machine data ( Laguerre, 2005) . It is an urban setting that is reliant on sensors and actuators which will be essential drivers of digital cities in future. Survival and creation of next generation digital cities will also be dependent on physical-digital integration of infrastructure.
Ubiquitous City
It is a setting that applies ubiquitous computing to support the functionality of its urban systems and integration of information systems. IT models in a ubiquitous city enable the operationalization of services, social systems, devices and other technology components. It is a Korean concept that relates to an establishment that enables micromanagement of functions such as traffic and energy consumption. Briggs (2006) defines it as a futuristic city that fuses technological advancements to support sustainable urban development to realize an ecologically conscious and efficient city. Briggs (2006) notes that the concept of a ubiquitous city is a new model of urban space creation that fuses high technological infrastructure and an omnipresent information service to establish an urban area and bring innovation. It is an intelligence based creation with a complex but efficient interconnection and combination of computers, human and other things. Commonly termed as U-city, the concept further refers to a build-up environment where ICT devices are relied on for access of any type of services anytime and anywhere.
A U-city brings closer to citizens a package of services comprising of functions such as telecommuting, telemedicine, home banking and urban infrastructure. It is also an architecture created using sensors or computer chips that communicate using wireless or wired devices embedded in any feature of the urban space. Lee, Han, Leem and Yigitcanlar (2008) assert that it is an urban establishment that brings convenience and comfort into people’s lives and promotes healthy and secure environment through ubiquitous technologies. A ubiquitous city symbolizes a high tech urban setting of the future founded on ubiquitous infrastructures and technologies whose primary role is to improve quality of life and upgrade the city’s value through systemization of administrative processes and functions (Lee et al., 2008). An example of a ubiquitous city is the Songdo, an urban setting in Korea that boasts an avant-garde connectivity and synchronization of social support services that embodies a future urban establishment.
Knowledge City
It is a term that describes knowledge based development, continuous enhancement and support of knowledge managemnet processes in an urban region. As Dvir (2006) explains, it is a city that takes into account knowledge structuring and management to enhance the value of services rendered to city inhabitants. It is also an economy driven by knowledge to create value and develop high standards of life including high level income, improved education and economic development. The city uses nurtured knowledge to drive research and training and continuously support knowledge building in an urban setting. At its core, a knowledge city relies on resources such as research institutes, universities, citizens and companies. Its infrastructures and citizen education level support the interactions between advanced communication networks. The concept also explains a creative and science city where knowledge creates value and high standard of living among the city dwellers (Dvir, 2006). Knowledge is an ingredient in urban development termed as a possible solution to challenges of a modern city and a recipe for citizen success. The idea relates to an intersection of four component of knowledge; purposes, places, people and processes.
Intelligent City
Also referred to as a cognitive city, it is an urban establishment that utilizes digital technologies to improve the well-being of residents, visitors and businesses as well as enhance the performance of devises services. The intelligence aspect is critical in reducing consumption and costs of mobility, energy, healthcare and other resources ( Komninos, 2006) . An intelligent city is a setting whose function relies on smart building controls, fuel cells, LED lighting, wireless charging for automobiles, demand response, solar panels and intelligent lighting. It is also described an urban creation that uses information technology to make more efficient use of building structures, roads for strong cultural, economic and social development ( Komninos, 2006) . Information technology is the main driver in intelligent cities that provides a tool for effective engagement among businesses and residents through open innovation processes.
Smart City
It is a creation that uses digital and cyber-physical platforms and infrastructures to provide solutions to institutions, people and machines and resolve complex 21 st century challenges. It is also a smart ecosystem that utilizes technologies such as internet, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, social media, software application and World Wide Web to create solutions and remedies to people and businesses for overall improvement of standard of life. Cocchia (2014) describes a smart city as an urban area that that relies on electronic internet of things sensors to gather information and uses the insights garnered to foster efficient resource, asset and services management. A smart city is an establishment that integrates information and communication technology and other tech enabled physical gadgets linked to an internet of things network to realize optimization of city efficiency, services and operations. According to Su and Fu (2011), the concept relates to a designation that utilizes information and communication technology platforms to enhance performance and quality of resources such as energy, utilities and transportation to reduce wastage, overall costs and consumption. A smart city is run by smart gadgets embedded in the urban environment such as buddings which collects data and shares the information via communication systems for analysis by a software ( Shelton, Zook & Wiig, 2015) . Analyzed data generates valuable information that enhances services of the smart city’s inhabitants and increases operational efficiency of government services and citizen welfare.
References
Briggs, G. (2006). The intelligent city: Ubiquitous network or humane environment?. In Future forms and design for sustainable cities (pp. 42-65). Routledge.
Cocchia, A. (2014). Smart and digital city: A systematic literature review. In Smart city (pp. 13-43). Springer, Cham.
Deren, L., Qing, Z., & Xiafei, L. (2000). Cybercity: Conception, technical supports and typical applications. Geo-spatial information science , 3 (4), 1-8.
Dvir, R. (2006). Knowledge city, seen as a collage of human knowledge moments. Knowledge cities: Approaches, experiences and perspectives , 245-272.
Hamilton, A., Wang, H., Tanyer, A. M., Arayici, Y., Zhang, X., & Song, Y. (2005). Urban information model for city planning. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITCon) , 10 (6), 55-67.
Komninos, N. (2006). The architecture of intelligent cities. Intelligent Environments , 6 , 53-61.
Laguerre, M. S. (2005). The digital city. New York: Palgrave MacMillan , 10 , 9780230511347.
Lee, S. H., Han, J. H., Leem, Y. T., & Yigitcanlar, T. (2008). Towards ubiquitous city: concept, planning, and experiences in the Republic of Korea. In Knowledge-based urban development: Planning and applications in the information era (pp. 148-170). Igi Global.
Singh, I. B., & Pelton, J. N. (2013). Securing the cyber city of the future. The Futurist , 47 (6), 22.
Su, K., Li, J., & Fu, H. (2011, September). Smart city and the applications. In 2011 international conference on electronics, communications and control (ICECC) (pp. 1028-1031). IEEE.
Shelton, T., Zook, M., & Wiig, A. (2015). The ‘actually existing smart city’. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society , 8 (1), 13-25.
