Smart cities have come to be the new buzzword these days. And while it might be a great thing in terms of general popularity, the actual value of the subject often gets lost in translation.
Often misconstrued as a magic button that automates everything or an 80s futuristic set design ala Hollywood (minus the flying cars). Smart cities comprise a range of elements working in a holistic ecosystem to serve the government, citizens, and the environment through data-driven efficiency.
For the sake of consensus of the concept, here are some of the factors that a smart city should deliver to qualify for the title.
City transport and the Internet of Things (IoT)
Smart cities take advantage of internet connectivity and purpose-built sensors to collect data about the city. Authorities can use this data to gain insights and improve infrastructure, city services and energy efficiency on a high to low priority basis. Further revenue opportunities can be designed with businesses using IoT devices to engage and communicate with the commuters through network, sound, and display.
Smart cities are making IoT a crucial part of their mobility strategies. They do this by categorising commuters by employers, universities, and other affiliations. The networks, in turn, allow commuters to discover information relevant to them and use trip data to improve services by understanding behaviour.
Enhanced citizen and government engagement
Citizens these days expect all their interactions to deliver robust, user-friendly digital services. Collaboration tools, intuitive websites, mobile apps, self-service kiosks, and convenient online accessibility have become a need of citizens across the world and they surely don’t expect less from their city. Expanding digital services in communities makes smart cities more attractive for residents to live and promote a connected experience.
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Safer communities
Smart cities are safer cities. The application of technology can surely help reduce criminal activity. Technologies such as license plate recognition, sound and movement detectors, connected crime centres, next-generation emergency response, and cameras all give the authorities an added advantage.
Reduced environmental footprint
With the rise of greenhouse gases, waste matter in our oceans, and trash in our streets, smart cities are fighting back to reduce adverse effects on the environment. Making it one of the most vital benefits of the concept. Green buildings, air quality sensors, and renewable energy tech provide cities with new tools to shrink their ecological impact.
Air quality sensors can provide valuable data to track peak pollution times, identify causes, and deliver analytics to help develop action plans. These sensors can help in reducing pollution in even the most populated cities, which is sure to help curb this most imminent threat to mankind.
Improved transportation
Transportation networks have been, are, and will remain one of the most critical components of a progressive city. The efficiency of a city or its lack thereof can be heavily attributed to the quality and expanse of its public transportation. Innovative technologies allow cities to better serve citizens, especially those with rapidly growing and seasonal transient populations, from enhanced traffic management to a commuter’s ability to track schedules. Smart traffic light networks help ease traffic congestion during peak times, while smart parking management allows the city to add more revenue streams.
Increased workforce engagement
Workforce efficiency is an essential element for an efficient smart city. Smart technologies help reduce the burden of city employees by automating manual tasks. The advancement in automated helplines, mobile apps, bots, and sensors allows city employees to focus their hours towards more strategic initiatives. Smart cities can streamline manual processes and help employees reach their full potential to provide citizens with improved services.
As they say…this is a mere tip of the iceberg and there is so much more that cities can benefit from through smart technologies. But even if we focus on the very limited list of benefits above, it is clear that smart cities are inevitable and a clear need of the hour.
When asked the question as to what a smart city truly is, my response above all else is “a city that helps you save money and make money at the same time”. Smart cities by design are meant to reduce resource and financial wastage and leakage. By virtue of their native technologies, they feature numerous monetisation opportunities for the city and its residents to benefit from.
Low power usage, efficient and on-demand transport routing to reduce fuel consumption, and multichannel B2C marketing products make smart city migration indispensable for all cities across the world.
