Smart Cities—A Vision of the Future or the Present? - Technology Management for Sustainable Production and Logistics - page 119

Bearing in mind the above it is worthwhile emphasising that the crisis has
contributed to the growth in the group with low income in developed countries
whereas in poorer countries it has led to expansion of the group with a medium
level of wealth. Only in 2012 the number of people with medium income
increased by almost 140 million and the biggest growth was recorded in China.
In total in 2012 there were about 860 million people with a medium level of net
financial assets.
Moreover according to the report within recent 12 years, since the beginning
of 21st century the percentage of people from the middle wealth category on the
global scale doubled in emerging countries of Eastern Europe and Latin America.
However in Asia, except for Japan, it grew ten times. These processes result in
changing the structure of people form the middle wealth category. In 2000 almost
60 % of its members came from North America and Western Europe and nowa-
days every second person comes from Asia. The percentage of the middle class
dropped from 60 to 30 % in developed countries. According to forecasts of report
analysts this trend will maintain.
With the expansion of the medium wealth category the importance of retail
(including e-commerce), real estate trade or other services e.g. beauty and hair-
dressing services grows. Needs and expectations of the society are becoming more
and more sophisticated. Consumers gain access to a wide range of goods improv-
ing the quality of life. There are more opportunities to travel.
The above phenomenon is accompanied by a deepening social stratification
which is a serious problem as it may constitute a barrier in creating smart cities.
Attention to this was drawn by a columnist of Market Watch, an internet sup-
plement to “The Wall Street Journal”, R. Nutting. He indicates that the share of
income earned by 1 % of the wealthiest in total income of the Americans is the
highest since 1927 and exceeds 20 %. Discrepancies in earnings and wealth are
growing. This phenomenon does not only concern the United States where 1 %
of the richest people own 34.1 % of the assets but also Switzerland—34.8 %, or
Sweden—24 % (Gadomski 2014 ). The data from Global Wealth Data Book Credit
Suisse Research Institute from 2013 shows that even in Denmark 39.5 % house-
holds own assets of less than 10,000 dollars whereas 5.7 % of households have a
budget which is greater than a million dollars.
Taking into account an increasing urbanization ratio, polarization of the soci-
ety may hinder aspirations for building the social capital also based on creation of
the civic society, a social dialogue leading to compromises as well as responsible
decision making ( 2014 ). It may negatively affect the application of the concept
of smart cities where these values play a key role and the basis is constituted by
counteraction by many entities from various areas.
In the context of described phenomena the idea of sustainable development
mentioned previously is gaining more importance promoting the balance between
economics, the environment and the social area which includes striving for har-
mony between work and private life. Time is becoming a very precious commodity
desired not only as an element of building a competitive position of entities but also
as a synonym to a better quality more peaceful life (Brdulak and Brdulak 2014 ).