Discussing global society entails discussing the predominant characteristics of knowledge-based activities in all walks of life. Its main characteristics are based on creativity, innovation, freedom, and networking. The emergence of such a society poses several challenges to all disciplines of social sciences. Within such a context, sociologists must have practical encounters to the theoretical, methodological, and empirical challenges imposed within contemporary global society. In this vein, studying creative cities from an interdisciplinary perspective helps provide critical readings of the phenomenon and the different levels of the concept in reality. The Handbook of Research on Creative Cities and Advanced Models for Knowledge-Based Urban Development provides global models and best practices of creative cities worldwide and illustrates different theoretical blueprints for the better understanding of contemporary global society. While defining key concepts of creative cities, global society, and creative class, the book also clarifies the main differences between hubs, parks, and precincts and their contributions to knowledge-based development. Covering topics that include knowledge economy, social inclusion, and urban mobility, this comprehensive reference is ideal for sociologists, urban planners/designers, political scientists, economists, anthropologists, historians, policymakers, researchers, academicians, and students.

Throughout history, humanity has sought the betterment of its communities. In the 21st century, humanity has technology on its side in the process of improving its cities. Smart cities make their improvements by gathering real-world data in real time. Still, there are many complexities that many do not catch—they are invisible. It is important to understand how people make sense at the urban level and in extra-urban spaces of the combined complexities of invisibilities and visibilities in their environments, interactions, and infrastructures enabled through their own enhanced awareness together with aware technologies that are often embedded, pervasive, and ambient. This book probes the visible and invisible dimensions of emerging understandings of smart cities and regions in the context of more aware people interacting with each other and through more aware and pervasive technologies. Visibilities and Invisibilities in Smart Cities: Emerging Research and Opportunities contributes to the research literature for urban theoretical spaces, methodologies, and applications for smart and responsive cities; the evolving of urban theory and methods for 21st century cities and urbanities; and the formulation of a conceptual framework for associated methodologies and theoretical spaces. This work explores the relationships between variables using a case study approach combined with an explanatory correlational design. It is based on an urban research study conducted from mid-2015 to mid-2020 that spanned multiple countries across three continents. The book is split into four sections: introduction to the concepts of visible and invisible, frameworks for understanding the interplay of the two concepts, associated and evolving theory and methods, and extending current research as opportunities in smart city environments and regions. Covering topics including human geography, smart cities, and urban planning, this book is essential for urban planners, designers, city officials, community agencies, business managers and owners, academicians, researchers, and students, including those who work across multiple domains such as architecture, environmental design, human-computer interaction, human geography, information technology, sociology, and affective computing.

For the first time in modern human history, the response to a global health crisis was required among all countries no matter their wealth, size, or economic status. Every country was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as it surged across the world, it took many lives with it. Thus, it is essential to study the ability of human societies to cope with the changes caused by pandemics. Societal Resilience and Response to Contagious Diseases and Pandemics adopts and maintains an interdisciplinary-transdisciplinary approach to investigating societal resilience. This book builds upon different insights of what has already been done for humanity to survive the spread of a deadly pandemic. Covering topics such as the role of healthcare professionals, political economy, and consumption culture, it is an essential resource for professionals, business leaders, policymakers, professors, graduate students, researchers, and academicians.

A robust manufacturing sector is a necessity and a sufficient condition for any country’s human and economic development as it creates employment and alleviates poverty. During this Fourth Industrial Revolution era, there is an urgent need in Africa to optimally utilize the existing resources to support manufacturing or else risk allowing the continent to fall behind in the industrial economy. Innovative strategies are needed that can unlock Africa’s manufacturing potential by exploring key areas that may help Africa mature and launch modernized economies that will benefit the developed world’s industrial economy. The Handbook of Research on Nurturing Industrial Economy for Africa’s Development examines various innovations necessary for Africa’s economic development including drivers of the manufacturing economy such as education, agriculture, human capital, science and technological innovations, language, politics, and business environments. The book explores strategies to increase Africa’s economic diversity, complexity, productivity, and ultimately competitiveness, and for the continent to realize its manufacturing/industrial potential. Further, chapters focus on African countries’ industrial economies in the African context and facilitating the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. This book is a valuable reference tool for government officials, economists, industrialists, practitioners, stakeholders, researchers, academicians, and students interested in the industrial economic development of Africa.

In recent years, state legislatures in the United States have been transformed based on the social identities of their membership. At its most fundamental level, the debate over LGBTQ rights always has been a debate over the right of LGBTQ people to exist. While the role faith plays in legislative decision making is rooted within government functions, careful examination and change must be conducted to protect the humanity of those at risk through these influences. Faith-Based Influences on Legislative Decision Making: Emerging Research and Opportunities explores the balance between religious freedoms of legislators and the human rights of members of the LGBTQ community. Examining the politics and institutional forces brought to bear on LGBTQ claims for visibility, recognition, and dignity, this book is organized into three sections, each of which uses a distinct institutional lens—historical, legal, and religious. The author attempts to demonstrate that while the clash of cultures between these groups is real, it is not simple. The faith worldviews of each share common structural features but often reach extremely different conclusions. Covering topics such as marriage equality, religious liberty, and court cases, this book is an essential resource for students and educators in political science, policymakers, legislators, historians, sociologists, researchers, universities, administrations, community leaders, and academicians.

Analyses the economic development of cities from the 'cultural economy' and 'creative industry' perspectives.

The role of public sector activity in capital accumulation and fraction synthesis assists with economic development, public policy, and sustainable growth. By strategically investing in areas like infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public transit, governments aim to facilitate human capital and increase business profits. As more governments and companies aim for improved economic activity, improved research is required to explore the pivotal role of cohesive frameworks for capital accumulation, while understanding the various fractions of capital. Public Sector Activity in Capital Accumulation and Synthesis of Capital Fractions explores the complexities surrounding privatization, offering a critical and historically informed perspective that challenges the limited view presented by mainstream economics. This book covers topics such as accumulation theories, capitalism, and public property, and is a useful resource for economists, academicians, researchers, scientists, business owners, and historians.