Making (in) the smart city: The emergence of makerspaces. Issue 7 (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Niaros, Vasilis; Kostakis, Vasilis; Drechsler, Wolfgang
• Is Part Of: Telematics and informatics. Volume 34:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 1143
• Page End: 1152
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Smart city -- Makerspaces -- Sharing economy -- Technology governance -- Urban communities -- Learning; Telecommunication -- Periodicals; Computer networks -- Periodicals; Télécommunications -- Périodiques; Réseaux d'ordinateurs -- Périodiques; 384
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tele.2017.05.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0736-5853

Abstract

Highlights: We explore the role of makerspaces as part of the sharing economy. Their innovation, learning and community building potential is discussed. A commons-oriented approach for the smart city is proposed. The proposed vision could offer a viable alternative towards a more democratic city. Abstract: Critical approaches to the smart city concept are used to begin highlighting the promises of makerspaces, that is to say, those emerging urban sites that promote sharing practices; exercise community-based forms of governance; and utilize local manufacturing technologies. A bird's-eye-view of the history of makerspaces is provided tracing their roots back to the hacker movement. Drawing from secondary sources, their community-building, learning and innovation potential is briefly discussed. Makerspaces, this essay argues, can serve as hubs and vehicles for citizen-driven transformation and, thus, play a key part in a more inclusive, participatory and commons-oriented vision of the smart city.