As cities integrate new technologies, they become smarter,
more livable, friendly, and responsive, but right now we are only seeing a
preview of what technology could ultimately do in an urban environment.
Until recently, leaders in various cities thought of smart
technologies primarily as tools to optimize internal government processes. But
today, technology is entering more directly into people's lives. Smartphones consume
become the key to the city, instantly broadcasting traffic, traffic,
healthcare, safety alerts, and community news information to millions of hands.
Quality of life has many dimensions, from the air that
citizens breathe to how safe they feel walking the streets. These days, the
Smart Cities report looks at how dozens of digital apps solve similar practical
and purely human problems.
1. What makes a city smart
Smart cities use data and digital technology to make better
decisions and improve the quality of life. Better real-time data enables them
to see events as they unfold, understand how demand patterns are changing, and
respond with faster, more cost-effective solutions. The three segments work
together to make human cities smarter. First is the technology base, which
includes a critical mass of smartphones and sensors connected by high-speed
communication networks.
The second segment consists of specific applications.
Turning raw data into warnings, information, and actions requires the right
tools and, third, their use by cities, businesses, and communities. Many
applications are successful only if they are generalized and can change
behavior. They encourage people to use transportation after hours, change
routes, use less energy and water, and more.
2. The untapped potential of technology to improve the
quality of life.
The report also assesses how the application of technology
in smart cities can affect various aspects of quality of life: safety, time,
health, environmental quality, social connections, civic participation, jobs, and cost of living. The wide range of results reflects the fact that technology
applications work differently from city to city, depending on factors such as
legacy infrastructure systems and basic starting points. There is no doubt that
much remains to be done in each case to make the most of these new
technologies.
3. Implementation, even the most developed cities still have
a long way to go.
50 cities around the world were analyzed for their progress
in adopting data and technology. The number of sensors and devices, the quality
of communication networks, and the availability of open data portals were
analyzed. Among the most advanced are Amsterdam, New York, Seoul, Singapore and
Stockholm, but even these candidates have not made sufficient progress towards
what constitutes a comprehensive technology base today. In general, cities in
China, East Asia, Europe, and North America have a relatively strong technology
base, as do some cities in the Middle East. But Africa, India, and Latin America
still lag behind.
In addition, a survey was conducted in several of these
cities to assess how citizens feel about the technology that already works in
their environment. L found that Asian cities had the highest rates of awareness,
utilization, and satisfaction, while European cities lagged behind. Positive
acceptance and awareness seem to correlate with a young population not only
embracing a more digital way of doing business but also looking forward to it.
4. Smart cities are changing economic infrastructure and
creating public-private partnerships.
By using the right combination of traditional construction
and smart technology solutions, they can respond more dynamically to the
changing demand of citizens.
While most of the applications studied will be implemented
by the public sector, most of the initial investment may come from individuals.
Government funding can only be reserved for those public goods that must be
provided by the government. In addition, more than half of the initial
investment to be made by the public sector will have a positive financial
return, opening the door to partnerships. Adding more contributors to the mix
is a good thing, as it increases acceptance and allows for more creativity in
the available data. When private sector innovation emerges organically, the
government's role can include regulation, bringing key players together,
offering subsidies, or changing purchasing decisions.
Most developed countries begin their transformation with
inherent strengths such as wealth, population density, and existing high-tech productions.
But level places that lack these ingredients can be distinguished by their
vision, good governance, a willingness to abandon traditional ways of doing
business, and a desire to meet the needs of their citizens.
