This document discusses the rise of smart cities and big data. It outlines two views of smart urbanism: instrumentation and regulation of cities through ubiquitous sensors and data collection, and using technology to make cities more competitive, innovative and sustainable. The focus is on how cities are becoming composed of networks of instruments and data that aim to make urban systems knowable and controllable in real-time. While big data promises benefits like improved services and governance, it also enables more extensive surveillance and raises issues around privacy, technocratic governance, corporate influence, and hackability of urban systems. Critical examination is needed to ensure smart city development aligns with citizens' values and addresses structural problems, not just technical solutions.