Imminent Communication Technologies for Smart Communities: Part 1

The articles in this special section focus on new information and communication technologies for smart communities. In the 21st century, we have witnessed a rapid and revolutionary growth in the ICT industry. Also, we can easily identify a variety of challenges that today’s cities around the world are facing. In developing countries, with rapid population and economic growth, energy demand in urban areas is increasing. In developed countries, challenges are due to declining birth rates, aging societies demanding better health care services, and the deterioration of the physical infrastructure such as buildings, roads, water supplies and sewage systems, and the power grid. Moreover, internationally, global warming caused by increasing carbon dioxide emissions and frequent natural disasters are urgent issues. In our Feature Topic, we would like to see how communication technologies can play a vital role in assisting or solving some of the aforementioned issues.