Università Roma Tre

The course provides both theoretical and practical knowledge on the interrelationships between the digitization process, which today's society is experiencing, and its implications in terms of environmental sustainability. The specific focus of the course is the cities where the majority of the world population is now concentrated and which are the driving force of knowledge. This interrelation will be analyzed, described and interpreted in the light of the concept of smart cities or those places where traditional networks and services are made more efficient thanks to the use of digital technologies and telecommunications for the benefit of its inhabitants and businesses, favoring a better use of resources and at the same time reducing the harmful emissions that the production process involves. There are several sectors in which smart cities can produce the improvements described above. In particular, the smart urban transport networks, the water supply, waste disposal systems, efficient lighting and heating systems, the improvement and enhancement of the functions of the public administration, the greater usability and safety of public spaces, especially in favor of a population that progressively ages on average. However, the phenomenon in which these changes have involved radical changes in functioning is that of electronic commerce which has had, and will have in the next few years, sustained growth rates with strong implications for the environmental and social sustainability of cities. Precisely for this reason, a substantial part of the course focuses on the study of the implications that this phenomenon has on cities and, consequently, of the intervention policies that can be adopted with specific reference to the urban distribution of goods in order to mitigate the negative effects and promote those advantageous for cities. Students, also thanks to an active participation in the course through: 1) critical discussions, 2) structured bibliographic research; 3) drafting of short documents, 4) public presentations, will learn both to deal rigorously and completely with the study of complex issues, such as those described above, and soft skills also useful for professional purposes.