Abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to explore and re-conceptualize evolving understandings of jobs, work, and labour in the context of emerging requirements for learning, living, and creatively contributing in 21st century smart cities. Re-conceptualizing jobs, work, and labour is important in the face of concerns with: a) the notion of “a jobless future” b) technology-driven unemployment; and c) the importance of meaningful human activities. Theoretically this work is situated at the intersection of a theory of capabilities for productive transformation and learning theory related to collective processes. The methodology for this paper involved the use of an exploratory case study approach and multiple methods of data collection, including in-depth interviews and an online survey. A pre-tested survey instrument and interview protocol were developed and administered for this study consisting of a range of questions pertaining to individual perceptions and experiences in relation to emerging understandings of smart cities and learning cities. The content analysis technique was used to conduct an analysis of data collected across diverse sectors (e.g., city officials, business, educators, students, IT staff in higher education and at the city level, and community members) in multiple small to medium to large cities, mostly in Canada but also extending to northern and southern Europe. In parallel with this study, anecdotal evidence was also gathered from people in diverse sectors across several Canadian cities through individual and group discussions enabling further analysis and triangulation of data. Findings from this work contribute to: a) new conceptualizations of creative economies; b) insight into creative behaviour in real world environments; and c) the literature across multiple domains including the future of work and everyday creativity in the context of learning cities and smart cities. This paper is expected to generate interest among educators and researchers in evolving and debating new conceptualizations of work influencing learning in support of smarter universities while opening the potential for new opportunities to contribute to smarter cities and learning cities.

Keywords:

Ambient creativity, ambient economies, awareness, capabilities, clusters, creativity, digital literacies, future of work, gig economy, ICTs, innovation, learning, learning cities, platform economy, smart cities, smart universities, superclusters, transformation.