Imagining the city of the future has long been an inspiration for many architects, artists, and designers. Through various types of media, urban futures have been depicted in many ways - from tranquil green utopias and great domed constructions to vast, interconnected mega-structures and machines. More recently there has been considerable attention given to Smart Cities and how they may transform urban life. This talk will therefore examine the power of information, Big Data and Smart Cities as technological drivers for change. Cities, once perceived as a problem, are now recognised as the key context for many countries’ social, cultural and economic life, whilst also being home to the majority of the global population. In addition, this talk will also explore what some of the emerging technologies and lifestyles may mean for our cities and us.