Overview

Before we conclude with some final remarks, it is useful to remind ourselves again of the overall context in which the methods, technologies and proposed solutions presented in the previous chapters take place.

According to data available from the United Nations [ ^[1]], in 2005, 49.2% of the world's population and 73.3% of that of Europe live in urban environments. Perhaps more interestingly, the same source indicates that in 1950 these figures were 29.1% and 51.2% and predicts that by 2030 these figures would have risen to 60.8% and 79.6%, respectively. Clearly, we are witnessing a major shift in the life style, expectations, economic relations and personal interactions for most of the people of this planet.

Urban life, in conjunction with population increase, is naturally congested. Worldwide, for example, there has been an increase in population density of around 140% over the last 50 years. On the one hand, people are attracted to migrating into the cities in the hope of an improved quality of life and economic prospects. On the other, the size of such migration puts an enormous pressure on town and city managers. The complex interaction of social, environmental, political, legal and economical issues associated with modern life is well beyond the scope of what a book like this could address, but we believe that it is important that those investigating and deploying technical solutions are reasonably informed of the context in which such solutions are likely to operate.

Perhaps the most...