Intelligent urban environments: towards e-inclusion of the disabled and the aged in the design of a sustainable city of the future. A South African example

Abstract

This Paper describes comprehensive research undertaken in Pretoria, South Africa proposing substantial changes to commonly accepted city environments (in relation to urban design, infrastructure provision and utilization of services) into ‘Intelligent Enabling Environments’, where disabled and aged people would be provided with user-friendly wearable computing devices, connected to a wireless, distributed and invisible two/multi-way data transmission system, able to allow access ‘on-the-go’ of useful data related to buildings, urban infrastructure and services, and to transmit also user’s personal data. Data would include information on public buildings (location, accessibility, services provided), events, accessible city routes, info on public transport and relevant navigational data. Users would be automatically 3D tracked and the display of information would be’ hands-free’ and embedded in flexible wearable devices in personal clothing, or as part of miniaturized head-mounted devices, customized to provide also audible information in multiple languages. This paper explores the research methodology followed and the results obtained. The project has embraced current research on innovative futuristic technologies and focuses on a ‘Technology Demonstrator’ executed in a city block in the city of Pretoria