How 3D Printing Technology Makes Cities Smarter: A Review, Thematic Analysis, and Perspectives

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the transformative impacts of 3D printing technology on smart cities. As cities face rapid urbanization, resource shortages, and environmental degradation, innovative solutions such as additive manufacturing (AM) offer potential pathways for sustainable...

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Main Author: Lapyote Prasittisopin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Smart Cities
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2624-6511/7/6/135
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author Lapyote Prasittisopin
author_facet Lapyote Prasittisopin
author_sort Lapyote Prasittisopin
collection DOAJ
description This paper presents a comprehensive review of the transformative impacts of 3D printing technology on smart cities. As cities face rapid urbanization, resource shortages, and environmental degradation, innovative solutions such as additive manufacturing (AM) offer potential pathways for sustainable urban development. By synthesizing 66 publications from 2015 to 2024, the study examines how 3D printing improves urban infrastructure, enhances sustainability, and fosters community engagement in city planning. Key benefits of 3D printing include reducing construction time and material waste, lowering costs, and enabling the creation of scalable, affordable housing solutions. The paper also addresses emerging areas such as the integration of 3D printing with digital twins (DTs), machine learning (ML), and AI to optimize urban infrastructure and predictive maintenance. It highlights the use of smart materials and soft robotics for structural health monitoring (SHM) and repairs. Despite the promising advancements, challenges remain in terms of cost, scalability, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among engineers, designers, urban planners, and policymakers. The findings suggest a roadmap for future research and practical applications of 3D printing in smart cities, contributing to the ongoing discourse on sustainable and technologically advanced urban development.
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spelling doaj-art-3eae06d5804647e6ba6d6a31201f39ed2024-12-27T14:53:47ZengMDPI AGSmart Cities2624-65112024-11-01763458348810.3390/smartcities7060135How 3D Printing Technology Makes Cities Smarter: A Review, Thematic Analysis, and PerspectivesLapyote Prasittisopin0Centre of Excellence on Green Tech in Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, ThailandThis paper presents a comprehensive review of the transformative impacts of 3D printing technology on smart cities. As cities face rapid urbanization, resource shortages, and environmental degradation, innovative solutions such as additive manufacturing (AM) offer potential pathways for sustainable urban development. By synthesizing 66 publications from 2015 to 2024, the study examines how 3D printing improves urban infrastructure, enhances sustainability, and fosters community engagement in city planning. Key benefits of 3D printing include reducing construction time and material waste, lowering costs, and enabling the creation of scalable, affordable housing solutions. The paper also addresses emerging areas such as the integration of 3D printing with digital twins (DTs), machine learning (ML), and AI to optimize urban infrastructure and predictive maintenance. It highlights the use of smart materials and soft robotics for structural health monitoring (SHM) and repairs. Despite the promising advancements, challenges remain in terms of cost, scalability, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among engineers, designers, urban planners, and policymakers. The findings suggest a roadmap for future research and practical applications of 3D printing in smart cities, contributing to the ongoing discourse on sustainable and technologically advanced urban development.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-6511/7/6/1353D printingsmart citiesadditive manufacturingdigital twinsmachine learningsustainable development
spellingShingle Lapyote Prasittisopin
How 3D Printing Technology Makes Cities Smarter: A Review, Thematic Analysis, and Perspectives
Smart Cities
3D printing
smart cities
additive manufacturing
digital twins
machine learning
sustainable development
title How 3D Printing Technology Makes Cities Smarter: A Review, Thematic Analysis, and Perspectives
title_full How 3D Printing Technology Makes Cities Smarter: A Review, Thematic Analysis, and Perspectives
title_fullStr How 3D Printing Technology Makes Cities Smarter: A Review, Thematic Analysis, and Perspectives
title_full_unstemmed How 3D Printing Technology Makes Cities Smarter: A Review, Thematic Analysis, and Perspectives
title_short How 3D Printing Technology Makes Cities Smarter: A Review, Thematic Analysis, and Perspectives
title_sort how 3d printing technology makes cities smarter a review thematic analysis and perspectives
topic 3D printing
smart cities
additive manufacturing
digital twins
machine learning
sustainable development
url https://www.mdpi.com/2624-6511/7/6/135
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