In Townsend’s reading, he described the city should be tree like and it should have more connection within branches. The urban sprawl during postwar period is the “tree” which lacks communication between braches. But I think city is more like nest: there are different start points and connection in multiple directions. Anyhow the connection is essential for a successful city. He mentioned the Foursquare as the tool to link people in the city. It simply connects people digitally through the platform of “check-in” meanwhile people share their opinions. What if the digital platform somehow determines our destination? Will city become generalized. For example, traveling. Base on Foursquare’s review, we may end up at most “popular” part of city. Will there be space for surprises or we just going to be “organized” to the “best” place. Then it come to the question: do we want to be connected in both big and small scale”
Undeniable, the DIY city is the free form of city which we can design a prefect city. But it is physical limited, only for tech elites. Functionally, it is unlimited. Not talking about whether the DIY city can from a city in reality. The idea of group of people gather together creating their own vision of settlement is like having a city. Does the freedom of DIY city benefit the process of making city? Just like at the end of reading, Townsend talked about the bugs in the grass roots. How to evolve the smart city organically? The word organically is the key. It is the fundamental different between concept of DIY city and concept of really city. Because there are limits for physical development of city, so the city starts from organic shape.
Do idiots have to participate in digital urbanism? Do we all have to be smart? May be having some idiots is not bed at all. Smart city with digital sensors is new and trendy. It need to be promoted but it does not mean to replace the old fashion. Start with computer. 2o years ago, it was so new, knowing it is smart. But today it just part of our life, knowing it is like eating and sleeping. Smart city could use the same way. The app FIXMYSTREET is great tool to communicate within community. But do we know our neibroghood expect the question/problem that he/she/it post? Smart city is based on the digital. Do we want to push the digital sense far? Or having some physical aspect is be supplement for it.