For residents of European cities—with their snarled traffic, drafty old buildings, creaking public services and gray winters—it's easy to see the appeal of moving to a brand-new, high-tech metropolis.

More than half of the world’s population currently lives in cities and this share is expected to rise to nearly 70% by 2050. It’s no wonder “smart cities” have become a buzzword in urban planning, ...

Pascual Berrone does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond ...