Smooth City - René Boer

Smooth City offers a sharp and timely critique of the global trend toward hyper-efficient, frictionless urban environments. As cities increasingly prioritize cleanliness, safety, and control, this book argues that the pursuit of “smoothness” comes at a cost—eroding the messiness, diversity, and democratic potential that make urban life vibrant and inclusive. Through a compelling analytical framework, Smooth City exposes how sanitized spaces and new technologies are reshaping our cities, suppressing experimentation and marginalizing the non-normative. Essential reading for urban planners, architects, theorists, and anyone invested in the future of democratic, dynamic cities.