Emergent Ambient Culture in Smart Cities: Exploring the Internet of Cultural Things (IoCT) and Applications in 21st Century Urban Spaces

This work explores the Internet of Cultural Things (IoCT) and applications in the context of smart cities and learning cities. Ambient culture is advanced as an emergent form of the IoCT and applications in the context of 21st century everyday interactions in urban spaces. The constructs of awareness, learning, openness, and engagement enable formulation and operationalization of a framework for ambient culture in support of this study of the Internet of Cultural Things (IoCT) and applications in smart cities. A case study approach is used in the gathering of qualitative and quantitative data through interviews and surveys conducted with diverse individuals across several cities in Canada and Europe. In parallel with this study, anecdotal evidence is gathered from individuals and groups about smart cities, enabling further analysis and triangulation of data. This work contributes to the research literature across several domains including the IoCT and applications in relation to smart cities and learning cities. Future research and practice directions are identified for ambient culture with implications for ambient heritage, libraries, data relationships, and data infrastructures going forward.