The book discusses the concept of the smart city, and is based on a multi-service and multi-sectoral approach to urban planning, including various urban functions and the human capital of cities. The work is divided into three parts. The first is an introductory section which covers definitions, policies and tools used at European level for the development and classification of a smart city. The second presents a selection of examples of Western and Eastern communities, which experienced technologies and strategies that have made them smart. The third describes in detail the main three possible approaches (economical, technological and social) to the smart city concept which are the focus ambits of the holistic concept of smart city. The work provides a good overview of the concept of smart city, and also offers a critical analysis of the various approaches to smart cities, in order to provide tools to develop solutions that address the smart development of cities with an approach as multi-sectoral as possible. Its accessible language and several examples make the book easy to read and appealing to public administrators, students, planners and researchers.

Personal psychological growth Why are some people able to promote their own psychological growth and change toward complexity while others not? Is it possible to propose simple methodologies and instruments that would allow selection of positive experiences and hence develop a stronger and richer Self? This book describes the way to promote and foster positive psychological growth in everyday life, through simple instruments accessible to anyone. Positive psychological experience The focal point of the approach is the concept of Flow of Consciousness, an experience of subjective psychological wellbeing that nourishes and complexifies the Self. The authors propose a wide overview of positive psychological experience considering individual characteristics and experiences, as well as the influence of context, culture and social relationship, and the effects of the immersion in a globalized world, like the increasing daily use of mediated communication technologies. In the various chapters, this conceptual frame is declined in different areas of research, either consolidated ones or new fields. Self-development tips In a fresh and engaging style, the book transports the readers in a world of situations and opportunities through which they can identify themselves in a positive and stable self-development process. In the first two chapters the authors describe the impact of positive psychological experience in social and individual life. In the following chapters the reader discovers, accompanied by the exposition of concrete research results, the specific characteristics that may promote flow experience in several field of experience: the use of communication technology; the experience of social-networks; clinical settings and Psychotherapy; the psychological relation with environment, politics and social participation, school, sports, family business, mentor's influence, and the perception of quality of life in daytime. Everyday opportunities This opportunity of interacting with different and various kinds of experiences, that may appear dispersive, will on the contrary bring the reader - who may choose this book both for professional or personal reasons - to understand the concept of personal psychological growth in the wider and more concrete perspective, and to comprehend which personal skills he may bring into play in order to improve his personality and his daily experience.

This book discusses the main features, fundamental principles, and application areas of blockchain technology. It explains how this technology can contribute to the electricity market by enabling the implementation of new business models and new energy scenarios. The first chapter is an introductory section which covers the basic elements for framing the blockchain in the different application fields. The following chapters describe the various phases of the Italian electricity market and the players involved in each phase, the new business models and the main regulations; the features of blockchain that are useful for the energy system; and the integration of a blockchain platform for the execution of Demand Response events in an existing power grid. In the fifth chapter the results of the experimental implementation of the architecture described previously are presented, and in the final chapter the BloRin project is presented, which aims to create a blockchain-based platform for renewable energy deployment and energy exchange management. The volume targets graduate students, researchers and practitioners, and addresses the development of a new methodology for the implementation of energy services using blockchain technology, providing a guide in the blockchain area for the energy sector.

This book discusses the main features, fundamental principles, and application areas of blockchain technology. It explains how this technology can contribute to the electricity market by enabling the implementation of new business models and new energy scenarios. The first chapter is an introductory section which covers the basic elements for framing the blockchain in the different application fields. The following chapters describe the various phases of the Italian electricity market and the players involved in each phase, the new business models and the main regulations; the features of blockchain that are useful for the energy system; and the integration of a blockchain platform for the execution of Demand Response events in an existing power grid. In the fifth chapter the results of the experimental implementation of the architecture described previously are presented, and in the final chapter the BloRin project is presented, which aims to create a blockchain-based platform for renewable energy deployment and energy exchange management. The volume targets graduate students, researchers and practitioners, and addresses the development of a new methodology for the implementation of energy services using blockchain technology, providing a guide in the blockchain area for the energy sector.

The book discusses the concept of the smart city, and is based on a multi-service and multi-sectoral approach to urban planning, including various urban functions and the human capital of cities. The work is divided into three parts. The first is an introductory section which covers definitions, policies and tools used at European level for the development and classification of a smart city. The second presents a selection of examples of Western and Eastern communities, which experienced technologies and strategies that have made them smart. The third describes in detail the main three possible approaches (economical, technological and social) to the smart city concept which are the focus ambits of the holistic concept of smart city. The work provides a good overview of the concept of smart city, and also offers a critical analysis of the various approaches to smart cities, in order to provide tools to develop solutions that address the smart development of cities with an approach as multi-sectoral as possible. Its accessible language and several examples make the book easy to read and appealing to public administrators, students, planners and researchers.

This book explores the new rules and codes that are required in order to foster the implementation of smart city technologies with a view to meeting the environmental and energy challenges posed by dynamic contemporary cities with increasing populations. In particular, it proposes a methodological approach suitable for use when devising a smart urban/building code for local administrations, taking into account the current European regulatory framework (directives and technical norms) and evaluating the economic feasibility of the suggested measures. A case study is made of a large Mediterranean city in Italy that can be regarded as a paradigm of urban evolution, where a traditional individualism poses a cultural obstacle to the emerging need to share resources. Further features include a smart cities atlas, explanation of how to create local rules for sustainable building restoration/construction, and guidance on economic evaluation of the impact of building automation and passive measures for energy efficiency. The book, which has a multidisciplinary perspective, will be of value to all who are interested in the transition to smart cities that can meet sustainable development targets.