This book offers a forward-looking analysis of emerging technologies converging in next-generation smart cities, examining both their opportunities and challenges. It explores the integration of AI, 6G networks, quantum computing, molecular communications, IoT, and IoNT through scenario-based analysis, highlighting AI-driven orchestration, blockchain, the metaverse, and advanced networking for urban resilience. It provides technical frameworks for Social IoT (SIoT), edge-cloud computing, and AI middleware, whilst addressing security challenges in quantum computing, AI, and molecular domains. The book concludes by discussing issues of security, privacy, ethical AI, and societal implications such as the digital divide, thereby offering a roadmap for the reader.

This work offers key insights into the field of 6G-enabled IoT and blockchain systems. Firstly, the author expands the reader's understanding by examining innovative applications. These applications are found in areas such as autonomous vehicles, smart cities, Industry 4.0, healthcare, and immersive technologies (holographic communications, IoNT), thus showcasing the transformative potential of 6G. This knowledge helps drive practical development for the accelerated deployment of 6G-enabled solutions across diverse sectors. Next is the analysis of security vulnerabilities, privacy concerns, and emerging threats at device and network levels, which is crucial for building robust and trustworthy 6G IoT systems. By providing insights into risk management and proactive measures, the book enables developers to address security challenges early in the design process. This enhanced security awareness and mitigation consideration fosters user trust and enables the widespread adoption of these systems in sensitive applications. The reader also learns about the complexities of network management, resource allocation, and how virtualisation in 6G IoT addresses critical challenges in building scalable and efficient interconnected systems. By examining standardisation efforts for interoperability and the development of a cohesive 6G ecosystem, the objective is to achieve improved network efficiency and scalability for widespread implementation.

The audience for this book includes doctoral and master's students in computer science, electrical engineering, urban planning, and related fields who are investigating how technologies such as AI, blockchain, IoT, and advanced communications can address complex urban challenges. The book may also be useful for research seminars and advanced courses exploring technological convergence in smart cities.

Throughout the twentieth century, planning and planners were central to our understanding of cities and regions. Today, however, planning is facing powerful challenges - professionally, intellectually, practically - in ways arguably not seen before. Recent developments and trends are raising fundamental questions about how we plan regions. Planning is no longer solely the domain of professional planners but has been opened up to a diverse group of actors, each with their own interests. The study of cities and regions was traditionally taught in planning schools and geography departments, but this link with place and space disciplines is being steadily eroded as research increasingly takes place in and through interdisciplinary research institutes.

Against this backdrop, Regions in Evolution provides the first comprehensive account of a hitherto untold history of regions and planning. Told through the unique lens of regional studies, the authors bring to light the role of key individuals, groups and disciplines in shaping research agendas and debate. It reveals voices which were marginalised, planning ideas which were lost, approaches that keep coming back and challenges that persist. Believing passionately in the values and purpose of regional planning, while sceptical of the one-size-fits-all institutional form that Regional Planning often adopts, the authors develop an argument for planning regional futures based on a multitude of approaches, methods and strategies that might still require someone to make sense of it all.

We live in times of profuse change, where hyperconnectivity and fast-shifting influences are radically changing how we live, consume, work, and play. By challenging the traditional realms in which urban design and planning operate, this book asserts that not only must we do better, but that we can.

Arun argues that the first step toward adaptive and resilient futures is making a fuller spectrum of the complexity of cities comprehensible to all. Drawing upon diverse disciplines like cultural anthropology, evolutionary biology, economic theory, behavioral sciences, systems thinking, and technology, he provides fresh foundations for addressing decades of physical and social underinvestment and neglect across a range of urban challenges. They include transportation, housing affordability, healthcare, the elderly, education, and aspects of economic underinvestment. The need for adaptive governance is also discussed.

Arun's narrative underscores how we must better embrace uncertainty to make our cities vibrant, comfortable, healthy, and inclusive while also being resilient and adaptive. He posits we do not need to predict the future to do this.

This book is essential for urban designers, planners, landscape architects, and postgraduate students in these fields. It is also a good primer for anyone wanting to understand the complex dynamics of cities.

This book is in honour of the late sociologist Ken Plummer - a remarkable scholar whose work transformed several fields, from his early writing on symbolic interactionism, stigma, and sexualities, through methodological innovations that have underpinned the 'narrative turn', to his explorations of citizenship and humanism.

The chapters in this collection cover a diverse range of topics, and all draw on Ken's work, revealing his enduring and significant influence. The breadth of contributions here testifies to Ken Plummer's impact across generations of scholars and sub-fields of sociology and social psychology. Many of the authors in this collection knew Ken personally, as colleagues, students, and friends.

Contributing to debates on critical theory, intimacy, and sexuality, the interdisciplinary nature of this book enables it to reach a wide audience engaged in research methods, social theory, anthropology, media studies, sociology, psychology, and history. It is aimed primarily at students, lecturers, and researchers interested in gender, sexuality, identity, social history, social theory, research, and teaching methods.