In the allegorical story of the Conference of the Birds, Attar uses birds as a metaphor for various degrees of consciousness stations one human can occupy during their lifetime. Attar's point of view is democratic and compassionate to the extent that he gives each state of consciousness attention and time and a unique therapeutic yield to a higher state. Through the narrative of Conference of the Birds (COB), Attar reminds the readers that the path of transformation is complex and challenging and requires connecting with the deepest paradigms and worldviews one holds deep in their mind. The aspiring change is in a journey of a unique hero that, in the Attar system, takes the form of the Seven Valleys.
The symbolic nature of this ancient story allows us to replace the character of birds with people, groups, communities and even cities. The TAI/T approach to smart cities is therapeutic, meaning we consider each city’s journey to the smart city to be unique. At the same time, at TAI/T, our main objective of making cities smarter is to help them become Mindful Smart Cities, cities that are designed to serve people and not machines, AI or technology. The current rhetoric of smart cities is a global phenomenon, initially centred on advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the transition to digital databases and communications in urban systems. But this falls short of a comprehensive human-centred paradigm. Therefore, it is important to critically analyse and evaluate how and to what extent smart cities also support a conscious urban experience.
One of our contributions to the smart city space is developing the Triple AI model within which three axes of intelligence support and accompany cities’ smart city agendas. Integrating social sustainability and conscious urban living at the core of a smart city framework requires rethinking smart cities as a whole. The Mindful Smart City framework considers the critical role people play in bringing what is seen as ‘intelligent’ to urban systems and therefore offers a roadmap to building smart cities. The roadmap includes three building blocks, seven levels of smartness, ten design philosophies and five urban digital rights.
“In this vision, smart cities are more just a collection of technologically wired places, but rather places where human transformation can take place. Granted, smart cities become consciousness gateways to better, more mindful, resilient and sustainable urbanised civilisations. Places where humanity can find a sense of meaning, purpose and eventually even reach higher states of consciousness or enlightenment. In such quest, we see technology as an ally, not an enemy. ”
Smart Cities as consciousness gateways are a bold technological standpoint in the tech-dominated world of smart cities. This Friday, TAI/T co-founders Shima Beigi and Dan Mapes will get together and discuss how the practice of smart city creation can be used as a vehicle for human consciousness transformation and evolution.
Further Reading
Missed the Previous Events? WATCH THE VIDEO RECORDING.
