The Catalytic Role of Soft Cities in Urban Development Systems

Abstract

In the context of Industry 4.0, the development of cities worldwide has shifted from large-scale industrialization towards intelligent and sustainable growth. Contemporary urban researchers classify urban systems into three categories: hard cities, soft cities, and resilient cities. Hard cities refer to the physical framework and infrastructure of urban spaces, while soft cities embrace the art ,cultural, civilized, aesthetic, and humanistic aspects of urban life. Resilient cities, on the other hand, embody the plasticity necessary for sustainable development. This paper will utilize case study methodology and comparative research to analyze the positive effects and catalytic impact of the development of soft urban systems on hard cities and resilient cities.