By Fowzia Aziza, Mia Guzman, and Blendi Musliu

What is a “Smart City?” How can innovative solutions help cities to become more sustainable, more livable, and more equitable? What can we do as citizens to make our cities healthier, happier, and — in a word — smarter?

Mike Barlow may have the answers. Barlow is a writer and journalist who teaches News and Feature Writing at University of Bridgeport. He is the co-author of Smart Cities, Smart Future: Showcasing Tomorrow, a book originally published in 2019 that shares a powerful vision of how cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking design have the potential to reshape the way that cities look and function.

In addition to his work as a writer, Barlow is an engaging and energetic speaker who is known to spice up his talks with stories about his adult children, tales of his adventures in local newsrooms, and anecdotes from his experiences as a small-plane pilot.

A class of first-year students recently had a chance to talk to Barlow about his life, his book, and his inspiring vision of the future.

Smart person

Mike Barlow grew up in Newark, NJ, a city perhaps known just as much for its dangerous neighborhoods as it is for its culture and history. As a child, Mike found solace and security within the confines of his room, where his companions were not playmates from the neighborhood, but the cherished books provided by his mother. These books became more than just sources of knowledge — they symbolized safety and love, offering a refuge from the harsh realities outside. This intimate connection with literature left a profound impact on Barlow’s perception of books and writing.

For Barlow, reading wasn’t merely a means of acquiring knowledge; his relationship with books was rooted in emotion, making the act of reading a deeply personal one.

Later in life, Barlow was fortunate to receive an education that introduced him to literary giants such as Shakespeare, Milton, Marlowe, and Anthony Trollope. These authors became his role models, inspiring his lifelong aspiration to become a writer.

Despite the challenging environment of his upbringing, Mike Barlow didn’t lose his desire to become a writer. His decision to pursue a career in writing was not only a creative pursuit but a testament to his belief that the act of writing has the power to help people transcend their circumstances.

After publishing his first book in 1997, Barlow’s career has now spanned two decades and 30 books, marked by an evolving mastery of the craft. Over time, he not only learned how to write but to do so swiftly, accurately, and in a way that captivates readers.

Barlow’s life story is a testament to the transformative nature of literature and the personal journey that has taken him from finding solace in books to embracing the world of writing. It’s a story of choices made against a challenging backdrop, highlighting the power of literature to provide not only knowledge but also refuge and inspiration. In the end, it’s a tribute to the idea that writing is a craft that mirrors the diverse and imperfect world as it is today while exploring what’s yet to come…

Smart book

Barlow says, “The key to writing books is to have confidence and do research.” Before authoring Smart Cities, Smart Future, he was hired to write an article on technology and the Internet of Things (IoT technology). While researching this article, he ran across the concept of “smart cities,” becoming increasingly interested in the topic and eventually looking to develop it as his next project. In the outset, he discovered that the heart of this narrative lay not solely in technology but in the diverse individuals who embraced the vision of a smarter urban future.

Smart Cities, Smart Future took about a year to write. Barlow said writing the book itself was not difficult, especially since he was writing about something he’s genuinely interested in. For his

research, Barlow was able to connect with and interview three experts on the topic, as well as visit libraries and dive into books, articles, and websites exploring smart cities.

Barlow came to understand smart cities as sites of heterogeneity and inclusivity that encompass a smart economy, smart government, smart environment, smart living, smart people, and smart mobility. They are places that are rich in egalitarianism and equity, where technology intertwines with humanity’s aspirations for a brighter tomorrow.

Smart cities

In Smart Cities, Smart Future, Barlow argues that sustainability is an unequivocal imperative for all cities. It hinges on the adept utilization of modern technology to gather and leverage data which is then subjected to meticulous analysis.

For instance, monitoring rainfall on a per-instance basis is indispensable for identifying flood-prone areas within a city. Simultaneously, Barlow states that we must overhaul our infrastructure comprehensively in response to this data.

In this context, Barlow accentuates the critical significance of environmental changes. His insights present a dual perspective, encompassing both straightforward and intricate solutions. He underscores that the survival of cities hinges on their capacity to evolve toward sustainability, demonstrating heightened awareness of the profound ramifications of climate change.

Barlow eloquently articulates his vision for cities that transcend sustainability to become safe havens where families can flourish. He places a strong emphasis on cleanliness and health, while fostering an intellectually enriched urban environment. His ultimate goal is to promote cities that represent the zenith of human excellence.

Drawing inspiration from Disney’s Dumbo, he metaphorically likens the concept of a smart city to a “magic feather.” This symbolism epitomizes the transformative potential and awe-inspiring capabilities that smart technology can bring to urban life, underscoring the visionary pursuit of crafting cities that harmoniously blend innovation and well-being.

 

Fowzia Aziza is a first-year student majoring in Computer Science. She is an international student from Bangladesh.

Mia Guzman is 20 years old and was born and raised in Bridgeport, CT. She is a first-year student at University of Bridgeport, and her major is currently undecided. She is excited to explore program options at UB.

Blendi Musliu is an 18-year-old hailing from Kosovo. He’s currently in his first year at University of Bridgeport, where he’s diving into the world of Computer Science.

#UBelong at UB. When you choose UB as your college community, you’ll have the support of UB’s dedicated faculty to help you manage this exciting time in your life.

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