Smart cities: urban efficiency, surveillance and data
Tue Jan 27 2026
From helping elderly people to cross the road to finding a free parking space, technology is helping to make our cities become safer and more enjoyable. But at what cost to our privacy?
In this episode, David and Celeste are joined by Dr Courtney Babb, a senior lecturer in urban and regional planning at Curtin University. They explore the benefits of integrating technology in urban areas, such as efficiency, security and quality, but also look at the implications, including surveillance and privatisation.
Songdo: the rise of the smart city [02:00]Data in urban efficiency [03:15]Who’s using your data, really? [09.30]Technology doesn’t always mean better [12:00]Future directions in urban planning [22:00]Being smarter with your data [29:00]Learn moreWharf Street BasinNew frontiers in sustainable innovationPerth is more smart city than meets the eyeThe Future of Sustainable ArchitectureConnect with our guestsCourtney Babb
Courtney Babb is a senior lecturer in urban and regional planning at the School of Design and the Built Environment (DBE), at Curtin University. His research interests include institutional change and design in spatial planning; transport institutions and the politics of resisting auto-mobility; transitions to low energy transport systems; and integrated planning and management of riverine environments.
Join Curtin UniversityThis podcast is brought to you by Curtin University. Curtin is a global university known for its commitment to making positive change happen through high-impact research, strong industry partnerships and practical teaching.
Start postgraduate educationStudy a research degreeWork with usGot any questions, or suggestions for future topics?Email thefutureof@curtin.edu.au
Social mediaXFacebookInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTranscriptRead the transcript.
Behind the scenesHosts: David Karsten and Celeste Fourie
Producer: Emilia Jolakoska
Writer: Zoe Taylor
Executive producer: Natasha Weeks
First Nations AcknowledgementCurtin University acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the First Peoples of this place we call Australia, and the First Nations peoples connected with our global campuses. We are committed to working in partnership with Custodians and Owners to strengthen and embed First Nations’ voices and perspectives in our decision-making, now and into the future.
Curtin University supports academic freedom of speech. The views expressed in The Future Of podcast may not reflect those of Curtin University.
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From helping elderly people to cross the road to finding a free parking space, technology is helping to make our cities become safer and more enjoyable. But at what cost to our privacy? In this episode, David and Celeste are joined by Dr Courtney Babb, a senior lecturer in urban and regional planning at Curtin University. They explore the benefits of integrating technology in urban areas, such as efficiency, security and quality, but also look at the implications, including surveillance and privatisation. Songdo: the rise of the smart city [02:00]Data in urban efficiency [03:15]Who’s using your data, really? [09.30]Technology doesn’t always mean better [12:00]Future directions in urban planning [22:00]Being smarter with your data [29:00]Learn moreWharf Street BasinNew frontiers in sustainable innovationPerth is more smart city than meets the eyeThe Future of Sustainable ArchitectureConnect with our guestsCourtney Babb Courtney Babb is a senior lecturer in urban and regional planning at the School of Design and the Built Environment (DBE), at Curtin University. His research interests include institutional change and design in spatial planning; transport institutions and the politics of resisting auto-mobility; transitions to low energy transport systems; and integrated planning and management of riverine environments. Join Curtin UniversityThis podcast is brought to you by Curtin University. Curtin is a global university known for its commitment to making positive change happen through high-impact research, strong industry partnerships and practical teaching. Start postgraduate educationStudy a research degreeWork with usGot any questions, or suggestions for future topics?Email thefutureof@curtin.edu.au Social mediaXFacebookInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTranscriptRead the transcript. Behind the scenesHosts: David Karsten and Celeste Fourie Producer: Emilia Jolakoska Writer: Zoe Taylor Executive producer: Natasha Weeks First Nations AcknowledgementCurtin University acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the First Peoples of this place we call Australia, and the First Nations peoples connected with our global campuses. We are committed to working in partnership with Custodians and Owners to strengthen and embed First Nations’ voices and perspectives in our decision-making, now and into the future. Curtin University supports academic freedom of speech. The views expressed in The Future Of podcast may not reflect those of Curtin University.