Question

1 by 2030, 60% of the world’s population is expected to live in mega-cities. how all those people live, and what their lives are like, will depend on important choices leaders make today and in the coming years.

technology has the power to help people live in communities that are more responsive to their needs and that can actually improve their lives. for example, beijing, notorious for air pollution, is testing a 23-foot tall air purifier that vacuums up smog, filters harmful particles, and releases clear air.

urban communities are responding in real-time to changing weather, times of day, and citizen needs. these efforts can span entire communities. they can vary from monitoring traffic to keep cars moving efficiently or measuring air quality to warn residents (or turn on massive air purifiers) when pollution levels climb.

using data and electronic sensors in this way is often referred to as building “smart cities,” which are the subject of a major global push to improve how cities function. in part a response to incoherent infrastructure design and urban planning of the past, smart cities promise real-time monitoring, analysis, and improvement of city decision-making. the results, proponents say, will improve efficiency, environmental sustainability, and citizen engagement.

5 smart city projects are big investments that are supposed to drive social transformation. decisions made early in the process determine what exactly will change, but most research and planning regarding smart cities is driven by the technology, rather than the needs of the citizens. little attention is given to the social, policy, and organizational changes that will be required to ensure smart cities are not just technologically savvy but intelligently adaptive to their residents’ needs. design will make the difference between smart city projects offering great promise or actually text cut off, likely subverting or even widening the existing gaps in unequal ways their cities serve residents.

assessment questions
1 — 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
30 out of 34 answered
question 31
what is the meaning of “subverted” as it is used in paragraph (?)
a. reinforced
b. revoked
c. undermined
d. unprofitable
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Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "subverted" (assuming context from the passage about smart cities and their potential impacts), we analyze the options:

• Option A: "reinforced" means to strengthen, which is the opposite of what "subverted" would imply in a context where projects might harm or undermine existing systems.
• Option B: "revoked" means to cancel, which doesn't fit the context of how smart city projects might affect city systems (relates more to official actions like revoking a law).
• Option C: "undermined" means to weaken or damage, which fits the idea that poorly designed smart city projects could harm or weaken the way cities serve residents (as opposed to improving them).
• Option D: "unprofitable" relates to financial gain, which is not relevant to the context of social or urban impact.

Answer:

C. undermined