What is Ambient Explorations

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a review of the research literature for works that are pushing the boundaries of smart cities in providing a glimpse of perspectives going forward. This chapter focuses on ambient explorations, microgrids and smartgrids, wise cities, and the quantum concept in shedding light on the evolving nature of the people-technologies-cities dynamic for more adaptive urban environments, characteristic of smart and responsive cities. Using an exploratory case study approach, solutions and recommendations are advanced. An analysis is provided of issues, controversies, and problems along with a discussion of the solutions and recommendations offered. Perspectives emerge for looking beyond and into the future of ambient urbanities in identifying potential directions for practitioners and researchers. This chapter makes a contribution to 1) the research literature for smart cities and future cities and 2) perspectives beyond ambient urbanities that encompass parallel and complementary potentials for smarter urbanities.