With greater job possibilities, improved public infrastructure, and quicker access to key supplies available in metropolitan centers around the world, it’s no surprise that the population of our major cities continues to outstrip that of most rural areas. Data show that cities contribute 80% of global GDP, and 89% of US inhabitants are predicted to live in cities by 2050.
Though modern urbanization can provide numerous financial and quality-of-life benefits to the majority of people who choose to take advantage of such developments, authorities and officials may face challenges as demand for housing, transportation, security, and infrastructure increases at a rapid pace.
Modern technologies can help tackle these potential hazards before they have an impact on residents and significant population centers. With the development of advanced AI, trustworthy data analytics, and intelligent computer systems, modern city planners may build proactive solutions to prevalent problems; this concept serves as the foundation for the rise of smart cities and the Internet of Things.
What are Smart Cities?
Smart cities are any densely populated urban areas that use collected digital data, advanced computer systems, and integrated smart technology to improve public infrastructure, utilities, and essential services, typically through data analysis to make better use of available resources.
The major goal of every smart city is to optimize all critical activities, such as transportation, security, and waste management, in order to stimulate economic growth and ensure the sustainable use of limited resources. To effectively carry out these responsibilities, authorities will frequently rely on a network of smart devices linked to the Internet of Things, each capable of analyzing how citizens use public infrastructure.
What are the Uses of Smart Cities?
Physical devices connected to the Internet of Things can speak with one another and share collected data for overall analysis, allowing city administrators to better develop public infrastructure in direct response to inhabitants’ requirements. The following are some common applications of smart city IoT technology.
Waste Management
1.3 billion tonnes of waste are produced by urban residents every year, representing the potential for an incredible strain on outdated waste management systems. Legacy collection services typically rely on simple timetables when planning waste removal routes, which are often inefficient, and costly and can contribute significantly to additional infrastructure issues such as traffic build-up and pollution.
Smart waste management systems solve these problems by utilizing IoT sensors installed in every city-owned trash can, these devices inform users of which items can be recycled and can alert officials when receptacles are filled to aid in the planning of more efficient waste collection services.
Utility Meters
IoT smart meters installed in commercial and residential properties are designed to track energy consumption to aid utility companies in managing available resources more efficiently. Teams are provided with reliable data detailing how much energy each property typically uses, with this information then used to cut down on waste, identify faults and ensure that all residents’ needs are met.
Smart Transportation
Many urban centers are investing heavily in public transportation infrastructure to reduce the pollution and congestion caused by cars, informed by data suggesting that public transport reduces carbon emissions by 45%. IoT sensors installed in transport depots help officials plan efficient transport services by providing real-time data to ensure that sufficient services are always available.
Proactive Security Systems
Larger population centers experience higher levels of physical crime, though by utilizing integrated networks of IoT security devices, authorities can better protect residents and improve incident response times. Commercial grade surveillance cameras can be informed by AI analysis tools and facial recognition software to automatically alert authorities of criminal activity, track potential suspects, and collect real-time data regarding active crime hotpots that should be closely monitored.
Examples of Smart Cities
Many aspects of smart cities may appear to be futuristic implausibilities to residents of rural communities or smaller urban areas, but a number of cities around the world are already utilizing intelligent networks of IoT devices to create more sustainable, efficient, and convenient environments for their citizens.
London, UK
Residents of Westminster, London, currently benefit from an IoT-assisted smart parking scheme in which installed surveillance cameras use license plate recognition and AI analysis software to inform drivers of available parking spaces, reducing wait times and alleviating levels of traffic congestion.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Authorities in Copenhagen intend for the city to become carbon-neutral by 2025, to prepare for this, select districts currently operate IoT smart meters to better understand energy usage across commercial and residential properties, ultimately allowing for more energy-efficient building methodologies.
San Francisco, USA
San Francisco city officials are implementing smart technology to help improve road safety and reduce traffic issues experienced by residents. The Smart Traffic Signals Pilot scheme used AI-informed IoT cameras and sensors to control installed signaling devices in response to real-time traffic data.
5 Features of Smart Cities?
The necessity for sustainable urban growth has given rise to the concept of smart cities, which is changing the way we envision, create, and govern our urban settings. For urban planners and innovators, this revolution represents a future in which cities are intelligent ecosystems that value efficiency, innovation, and citizen well-being.
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Explore these smart city features and learn more about what to expect from the infrastructure movement.
Innovative and Efficient Designs
Smart cities embody a shift towards architectural and infrastructural innovations designed for maximum efficiency and minimum environmental impact. Features like smart grids and intelligent transportation systems not only enhance the functionality of urban areas but also promote sustainable living. Smart cities leverage digital modeling and simulation tools during the planning stages to predict urban flow, optimizing everything from traffic patterns to emergency services. This ensures the city’s infrastructure can accommodate its residents’ needs with minimal waste and maximum efficiency.
Smart Urban Transportation Solutions
With the rapid growth of urban populations, cities face increasing strain on their transportation systems. Smart cities tackle this issue head-on with advanced mobility solutions that prioritize public transportation, minimize traffic congestion, and encourage eco-friendly modes of travel.
High-speed trains, electric buses, and bike-sharing programs are just the beginning, with the integration of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create a seamless, adaptive transit network that reduces travel time. Smart cities and businesses are also introducing fully automated parking garages featuring vehicle lifts that reduce vehicle congestion and expand parking facilities.
Increased Safety and Security
A smart city is a safe city. Urban planners leverage technology to enhance public safety, with features like smart streetlights that adjust brightness based on the hour and activity, and surveillance systems that use video analytics for threat detection. Furthermore, smart cities integrate rapid and precise emergency response systems, facilitated by data-driven technologies that can predict and prevent potential hazards before they occur with automated reporting.
Sustainability Focus
Sustainability is another key characteristic of smart cities. Incorporating renewable energy sources, promoting a culture of conservation and reuse, and investing in green infrastructure are just a few ways smart cities work toward a sustainable future. By setting ambitious environmental targets and implementing policies that support these goals, smart cities lead the charge in combating climate change at a local, impactful level.
Data-Driven City Planning
Finally, smart cities are built on a foundation of data. By harnessing collected data, urban planners can make more informed decisions about city growth and development. Data analytics can optimize land use, improve public services, and even tailor urban experiences to the community’s needs and preferences. This data-driven approach ensures that cities evolve alongside technological advancements and changing societal needs.
Smart cities mark a new stage in the evolution of urban living. These urban centers, which prioritize sustainability, efficiency, safety, and innovation, seek to improve the quality of life for their residents while also creating a healthier environment for future generations. To urbanize your own cityscape or institution, first solve the mobility and parking difficulties in your urban area.
What are the Benefits of a Smart City?
Smart city technology can help cities become more effective and efficient, which is critical given the predicted significant expansion in urban populations over the next few decades. According to the SmartAmerica Challenge, city governments in the United States alone will invest around $41 trillion over the next 20 years to improve infrastructure and implement IoT solutions.
Approximately two-thirds of cities have already invested in smart city technology, with many more considering deployment. Increased federal financing and strong relationships between city governments and private-sector technology businesses will help to solidify the reality of smart cities.
Smart cities that leverage connected technology across their operations reap a host of benefits. From our extensive research and work helping cities develop technology plans, here are 5 benefits we see cities derive from smart technologies every day:
1. More effective, data-driven decision-making
Advances in “big data” and linked gadgets have enabled cities to have access to previously unavailable information. A well-designed data analytics strategy enables city managers to access and analyze huge amounts of data — and easily extract valuable, actionable insights. When a city can track desired KPIs in real time, service levels quickly improve.
Effective big data applications and tactics provide a city with information that allows it to identify and staff police in high-risk locations, estimate and plan for citywide population increase, and discover patterns in public interests, concerns, and requirements. Big data and the Internet of Things (IoT) provide limitless opportunities for improved decision-making. This improves the lives of citizens by lowering costs and improving services.
2. Enhanced citizen and government engagement
Citizens today expect their cities to deliver robust, user-friendly digital services. Collaboration tools, modern and intuitive websites, mobile applications, self-service portals, and convenient online accounts have become the standard in many facets of life, and citizens expect no less from their city. Expanding digital services in communities make smart cities a more attractive place for residents to live and promote a connected citizen experience.
Accessible government data, interactive maps, government performance dashboards, transparency into budgeting, live-streamed city hall meetings, and a strong social media presence all assist smart cities in creating closer relationships with citizens. These smart technologies help increase civic engagement and trust in city officials.
3. Safer communities
A smart city is a safer city. Leveraging technology advances and pursuing private/public partnerships help reduce criminal activity. Technologies such as license plate recognition, gunshot detectors, connected crime centers, next-generation 911, and body cameras all give law enforcement an edge while on the job.
Many cities have already started investing in smart technologies to help promote a safer community.
4. Reduced environmental footprint
With the rise of greenhouse gases, debris in our oceans, and trash in our streets, smart cities are fighting back to reduce negative effects on the environment. Energy-efficient buildings, air quality sensors, and renewable energy sources are providing cities with new tools to shrink their ecological impact.
Deploying air quality sensors around a city, for instance, can provide data to track peak times of low air quality, identify pollution causes, and deliver data analytics officials need to develop action plans. These sensors can help lay a foundation for reducing air pollution in even the most populated cities, something that is sure to save lives since medical problems related to pollution claim millions of lives each year.
For example, the City of Chicago, installed nodes to serve as a “fitness tracker” for the city, measuring factors that impact livability in Chicago such as climate, air quality and noise to help detect heavy vehicle traffic, identify standing water in real time to prevent property damage and illness and observe which areas of the city are heavily populated by pedestrians at different times of day to suggest safe and efficient routes for walking to improve pedestrian safety.
5. Improved transportation
Smart city transportation investments are expected to rise over 25 percent annually over the next five years, according to SmartCity.Press. Connected transportation systems have some of the greatest potential to drastically enhance efficiencies throughout a city. From enhanced traffic management to public transit riders’ ability to track bus or train locations, smart technologies allow cities to better serve citizens despite often rapidly growing populations.
Technologies such as intelligent traffic signals optimize traffic flow, relieving congestion during peak travel times. Other smart transportation technologies, such as smart parking management, allow cities to capitalize on additional revenue streams. Reduced congestion, growth in autonomous vehicles, and efficient vehicle routing all reduce vehicle-related space needs in urban areas, potentially expanding the land use for development.
In 2014, the City of Chicago launched a mobile application to allow citizens to make online payments, view updated bus and train schedules, and track vehicles in real-time. The app works across all city public transit options and has made using the city’s transportation systems easier for Chicago residents.
Conclusion
Smart cities may alter the workplace by reducing manual procedures and offering individuals with more possibilities to fulfill their full potential, as well as improving services for people.
It’s difficult to deny the numerous benefits that connected cities provide. However, like with any big urban technology program, its implementation requires vision, commitment, and careful planning. Taking the first steps toward visualizing your smart city is, well, a smart thing to do.
