Even if the concept of a “smart city” is still developing, several aspects have emerged as obvious: Information and communication technology are used by smart cities to improve economic growth, sustainability, citizen well-being, and service quality, among various benefits of smart cities.
The use of smart city technology may enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of cities, an essential endeavour considering the anticipated surge in urban population in the next few decades. The SmartAmerica Challenge estimates that over the next few years, American local governments will spend around $41 trillion upgrading their infrastructure and using Internet of Things technology.
Approximately 66% of cities have already made investments in smart city technology, and several more are considering doing the same. The reality of smart cities will be further cemented by more federal financing and solid alliances with private-sector technology companies and local governments.
Why Smart Cities Are The Future
1. Data-Driven, More Efficient Decision-Making
This is among the various benefits of smart cities. Thanks to developments in “big data” and linked gadgets, cities now have access to information never previously possible. With the aid of a well-thought-out data analytics plan, municipal authorities may quickly get and evaluate vast amounts of data to derive insightful, useful information. Service levels increase quickly in cities that can track desired KPIs in real-time.
A city may anticipate and prepare for the extension of population development across the city, discover patterns in citizen interests, concerns, and requirements, and locate and staff police in high-risk regions with the use of effective big data applications and methods. The Internet of Things (IoT) and big data provide many opportunities to improve decision-making.
2. Increased Interaction Between The Government And Citizens
Today’s citizens anticipate powerful, user-friendly digital services from their communities. In many areas of life, collaboration tools, cutting-edge and user-friendly websites, mobile apps, self-service portals, and easy-to-use online accounts have become the norm, and residents expect no less from their city. A connected citizen experience and increased appeal as a place to live are two benefits of expanding digital services in smart cities.
Smart city governance, driven by multidisciplinary collaborative ideas, leverages information technology to improve the quality of life in cities, simplify government services, stimulate economies, improve accessibility to ecosystems, and foster social harmony.
Smart cities may strengthen stronger connections with their inhabitants via the provision of easily accessible government data, interactive maps, government performance dashboards, openness in budgeting, live-streamed city hall sessions, and a robust social media presence. These clever technologies contribute to a rise in public confidence in local government and civic involvement.
3. Better Security
Enhanced security is one of the main advantages of smart cities. Ensuring the safety of the city’s residents is the top priority for any city. One anticipation of the quick acceleration of smart city development is the addition of the capability to use Closed-circuit Television Cameras, or CCTV cameras, for citizen monitoring.
While CCTV isn’t particularly new, its utility has improved greatly with the addition of modern face recognition technology, which has the potential to either detect dangerous or suspicious people before a crime is committed or assist in rapidly identifying people after a crime has been committed.
Newer CCTV cameras offer features like face recognition in addition to the ability to evaluate air quality, monitor motion, have fire and smoke alarms, lock and open doors based on perceived scenarios, and many more. In some situations, this reduced reaction time may result in a reduction or even elimination of the impact of catastrophic occurrences.
4. Lesser Environmental Footprint
In response to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, waste in our streets, and debris in our seas, smart cities are taking action to lessen their detrimental impacts on the environment. Cities are getting new tools to lessen their ecological footprint, such as renewable energy sources, air quality monitors, and energy-efficient structures.
By placing air quality sensors around a city, for example, authorities can observe periods of poor air quality, pinpoint the sources of pollution, and get the data analytics they need to create action plans.
5. Better Transportation
Better transportation is one of the benefits of smart cities. There is a lot of potential for connected transport systems to significantly increase efficiency throughout a metropolis.
Smart technology helps cities better serve their residents despite often rapidly rising populations. Examples include improved traffic management and the ability for users of public transport to monitor the whereabouts of buses or trains.
Intelligent traffic lights, for example, optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion during peak travel hours. Smart parking management is one example of smart mobility technology that enables communities to generate more income.
6. Water/Waste Efficiency
“Smart water” is a word that’s often used when discussing smart cities, and it doesn’t mean water in a bottle. Rather, smart water refers to a wastewater and water infrastructure that guarantees efficient and effective management of both the energy required to carry water and the water itself.
Water losses from unknown leaks and blockages, water overuse based on the amount needed to complete the desired task at hand, unknown inadequate water quality, energy consumption needed to move water and waste, and many other issues are among the many challenges facing water and waste efficiency today.
Using the information gathered from sensors, variable speed pumps may adjust their speed to match the current environmental circumstances. In a similar vein, intelligent valves can control or stop water pipe flow as needed. This improves efficiency while significantly reducing the amount of water and energy lost in each step.
7. Efficient Public Utilities
Because there is a finite amount of natural resources that may be used to fulfill human demand, smart technologies are providing cities with the means to decrease and successfully save the amount of water and power that is accidentally wasted.
Cities can now minimize water loss by promptly detecting pipe leaks and fixing damaged sections in a shorter period of time, thanks to smart sensors. Then, each day, residents of Cape Town get an itemized bill that shows how much water they use. Smart sensor technologies and data analytics have proven to be a workable way to help save important resources.
8. Enhanced Infrastructure
Improved infrastructure is one of the prominent advantages of smart cities. Over the course of their useful lives, aging buildings, bridges, and roadways often require significant maintenance and repair costs.
Cities may use predictive analytics enabled by smart technology to pinpoint places that need maintenance before an infrastructure breakdown occurs. Cities have a huge chance to save tax money and lives by using these skills to stop avoidable infrastructure disasters.
9. Enhanced Workforce Engagement
A key need for achieving an efficient smart city is having a highly productive workforce. Smart cities can revolutionize the workplace by optimizing manual procedures, expanding career prospects for staff, and enhancing services for residents.
The tremendous advantages that linked cities provide are difficult to overlook. As one would expect, it’s wise to start sketching out the potential design of a smart city.
Some Challenges of Smart Cities
Although there are several benefits of smart cities, they may face some challenges, such as:
Privacy Concerns: Future smart city concerns about security and privacy will only grow as more personal information is disclosed. Regulatory entities and groups that gather vulnerable and sensitive data must demonstrate that the information is necessary for the operation of smart cities and that the data originators have given their permission and are aware of the goal of the collection.
Cyber Security Risk Management: Cyberattacks remain a serious concern for smart cities because they have the potential to jeopardize vital services as well as the security and safety of residents. Consequently, the use of cyber security risk management techniques is crucial for any smart city initiative.
Lack of Professionals and Skilled Workers: Professionals and qualified laborers are needed to manage the smart city. There are still not enough personnel to handle the demand, given that the majority of these new technologies are relatively new.
High Investment: It is necessary to update or retrofit several buildings with Internet of Things sensors and fast internet access.
FAQ
Q: What does a smart city hope to achieve?
A: By using smart technology and data analysis, a smart city seeks to maximize municipal operations, foster economic development, and enhance the standard of living for its populace.
Q: What factors contribute to the success of smart cities?
A: Enhancing sustainability and environmental standards via linked technologies. Innovative urban design that considers energy, resource, and space use. Highly efficient traffic and public transit networks. Urban area that is friendly to the daily existence of its citizens.
Q: Which is the first smart city in the world?
A: Seoul, South Korea, is known to be the world’s first smart city.