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From Traffic Modeling to Smart Cities and Digital Democracies
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:15:42
Abstract
This seminar will present speakers who discuss the challenges and opportunities arising for our cities and societies with the digital revolution.
Objective
To collect credit points, students will have to actively contribute and give an individual presentation for around 30 minutes in the seminar on a subject agreed with the lecturer, after which the presentation will be discussed (could be 20 or 40 min, depending on available time). The presentation will be graded.
Content
This seminar will present speakers who discuss the challenges and opportunities arising for our cities and societies with the digital revolution. Besides discussing questions of automation using Big Data, AI and other digital technologies, we will also reflect on the question of how democracy could be digitally upgraded, and how citizen participation could contribute to innovation, sustainability, resilience, and quality of life. This includes questions around collective intelligence and digital platforms that support creativity, engagement, coordination and cooperation.
Resources
Literature
Dirk Helbing An Analytical Theory of Traffic Flow (collection of papers) Michael Batty, Kay Axhausen et al. Smart cities of the future Books by Michael Batty: How social influence can undermine the wisdom of crowd effect Evidence for a collective intelligence factor in the performance of human groups Optimal incentives for collective intelligence Collective Intelligence: Creating a Prosperous World at Peace Big Mind: How Collective Intelligence Can Change Our World Programming Collective Intelligence Urban architecture as connective-collective intelligence. Which spaces of interaction? Build digital democracy How to make democracy work in the digital age Digital Democracy: How to make it work? Proof of witness presence: Blockchain consensus for augmented democracy in smart cities Iterative Learning Control for Multi-agent Systems Coordination Decentralized Collective Learning for Self-managed Sharing Economies
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 40
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | From Traffic Modeling to Smart Cities and Digital Democracies |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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Type B: Reflection About Subject-Specific Methods and Contents (Subject-specific courses. Particularly relevant for students interested in those subjects. All these courses are also listed under the category “Typ A”, and every student can enroll in these courses.)
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