The Role of Makerspaces and Smart Citizens in Shaping Bahrain as a Smart City

摘要

The industrial revolution and the technology race had engaged people in the development process of their own cities and spaces through makerspaces. Consequently, the maker movement in Bahrain started a decade ago but not yet empowered to take part in the economic development of Bahrain as a smart city due to several reasons discussed here. Interviews with 'makers' and experts along with observation of makerspaces around Bahrain helped in concluding the reality of these spaces and their potentials. The paper proposes a development plan and framework to better empower makerspaces and utilise the innovative potentials of local communities in harmony with Bahrain's Economic vision 2030.