Throughout human history, cities have always been considered the heart of societies and economies. Today’s cities are home to more than half of our world’s population due to their many economical and social benefits.
Billions of people called cities their home because they are hubs of innovation, employment, creativity, finance, business, education, and development. Cities are thriving and productive areas that play a fundamental role in shaping progress and quality of life.
Urban areas are highly productive areas that allow for sustainable growth and innovation which leads to new ideas. Cities also account for more than 80% of global GDP and are very important to stimulate a country’s economy.
In 1950, Tokyo and New York were the only 2 megacities in the world. Today there are around 34 megacities in the world. Megacities are cities that have a population of more than 10 million people. Tokyo is the world’s most populated metropolis with 37.5 million residents.
India has the largest rural population with 853 million, followed by China with 666 million. Urban economic activities contribute up to 55% of gross national product in low-income countries, 73% in middle-income countries, and 85% in high-income countries
However, cities are under a lot of pressure these days. Cities are facing the challenge of an ever-growing population, climate change, water crisis, scarcity of resources, employment, housing, sanitation, and an aging population.
Even if cities cover only 1% of the earth’s surface, they are heavy polluters and consumers since they are home to 56.2% of the world population. The population density of cities results in more traffic, waste, pollution, and increases in energy and water consumption in a compact area.
With the growing population, traditional urban designs are somehow struggling to support the residents that rely on them. There is a need for more services, infrastructure, housing, and employment.
And with climate change and the depletion of resources, cities will have to reduce their carbon emission and energy consumption. Hence cities planner and authorities are going back to the drawing board to develop urban spaces of the future.
Incorporated with the latest innovation and smart technologies, cities are becoming smart to improve the efficiency of day-to-day activity and living of citizens. The concept of smart city is a hot topic nowadays but what is it exactly?
Contents
What is a smart city?
A smart city is a community that makes use of smart technologies and innovations to optimize the flow of energy, materials, services, and capital to achieve sustainable economic development, resiliency, and high quality of life.
Smart city technology responds to challenges such as rapid population growth and political instability. Its implementation prioritizes technology and connectivity while simultaneously addressing social issues and citizens’ needs.
It has several objectives but its ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life of its citizens. Developing smart city solutions requires internal and external collaboration between citizens and businesses.
While its definition has become a buzzword in the tech world, the concept is becoming a reality as the world’s population is growing and human activities are expanding. Global smart cities spending is expected to reach USD 158 billion in 2022 and 185.5 billion in 2023.
Component of smart city
A smart city is one where all the infrastructures, buildings, and devices are interconnected. This technology allows urban authorities to use data to make more informed decisions about how to manage the area. Here are the technologies and characteristics of a smart city:
- Smart space
- Smart office
- Smart buildings
- Smart home
- Smart economy
- Smart living
- Smart citizens
- Smart health
- Smart governance
- Smart community
- Smart waste management
- Smart water management
- Smart energy
- Smart security
- Smart mobility
- Smart power grid
- Smart infrastructure
The goal is to make cities cleaner, safer, and more efficient while also improving their economic and social environment. Technological growth and climate crisis are both driving the need for smarter, more connected, and more sustainable urban environments.
For cities to become smarter, a wide range of hardware, software, and more importantly connectivity is needed. It is estimated that the smart city market size will reach more than USD 7,162.5 billion by 2030.
Technological spending on smart city initiatives was estimated at USD 124 billion in 2020 and it is projected to reach USD 189.5 billion by 2030. Smart city technology, service, and product revenue were valued at USD 129 billion by 2021.
The main smart city technology:
- Internet of Things (For data collection)
- Big data (Provide insight from data analytics)
- Cloud computing and edge computing (Provide computing and processing power)
- Cybersecurity (digital infrastructure security and data protection)
- Artificial intelligence (Data processing and predictive analysis)
- Machine learning (Learn from data for autonomous decision making)
- Digital twins (Digital representation of the city’s assets)
- Geospatial technology (Provide mapping for better understanding of urban area)
- 5G connectivity (Provide fast and reliable connectivity and reduce latency)
According to Deloitte, 5G will bring a lot of economic and social benefits to smart cities. Moreover, the market value of 5G in smart city is expected to reach USD 104.8 billion by 2026. The 5G IoT market value is expected to reach USD 40.2 billion by 2026.
According to BusinessWire, the market size of 5G and artificial intelligence in smart cities will reach USD 121.5 billion and USD 298 billion by 2027 respectively.
The market size of the internet of things in smart cities was valued at USD 112 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 735 billion by 2030. And the market size of big data in smart cities is expected to reach USD 800 billion by 2026.
The use of technology and human capital in cities is a key component of smart cities. This process helps cities provide better services and experiences as well as foster innovation and local participation.
How smart city works?
The term “smart city” is used to refer to a number of different concepts and projects, but in general, it is a metropolis that uses information and communication technologies (ICT) to address urban challenges.
A smart city is a city of the future that uses digital technology to improve its performance. It uses technologies like the internet of things, data analytics tools, and machine learning to make the city more efficient.
A smart city of the future is packed with sensors that collect and generate an enormous amount of data. The sensors are used for environmental monitoring, traffic management, public safety, supporting economic growth, resource management, and many more.
The data gathered from sensors is analyzed and converted into actionable information. This information is then presented in the form of recommendations and reports.
Hence, sensors and other data-gathering devices provide real-time information about traffic, weather, pollution levels, parking availability, and other city activities. Analytics software process the data to predict the course of action.
Actuators take action in response to these predictions. Communication networks allow all these components to talk to each other to exchange data as well as trigger immediate action in case of anomalies. These are the component of a smart city.
Some future cities have incorporated public safety programs and video surveillance to monitor public safety. They also monitor power plants and critical infrastructure for potential risks.
Importance of smart city
The idea of smart city comes from vital issues that are arising in cities. Cities around the world have become a large concentration of people and industries that are consuming more and more energy and generating more and more waste, and greenhouse gases.
Today more than ever, urban areas have to adapt to the changing circumstances of global economic, environmental, and societal activities. The current pandemic is a prime example, which has a massive impact on health and the social fabric in urban areas.
With the ever-growing population, cities are now homed to nearly 4.4 billion people and the number keeps growing. Numbers reveal that by 2050 the world population will reach 9.8 billion and 68% of it will live in urban areas. This represents 6.66 billion urban residents by 2050.
Globally, even if cities cover a minuscule surface, they are heavy contributors to global warming and climate change. Urban activities account for 70% of global carbon emissions and consume 75% of the global energy generated.
These numbers are certain to get even worse as the urban population increases. With 6.6 billion people living in such a compact area in the future, this can be disastrous!
Concrete jungles are overpopulated which brings with it a lot of problems such as crimes, poverty, inequality, overconsumption, waste, and pollution. Since there are more people and wealth in cities, there are more crimes and illegal activities.
Consumerism is quite relevant and a prominent factor in inner-city development. However, overconsumption in cities is leading to obesity, waste and pollution, and depletion of resources.
Overconsumption is also reducing productivity because people are in their comfort zone. A 2016 study shows that more than 1.9 billion and 650 million people were considered overweight and obese respectively.
The sedentary and consumeristic lifestyle in cities is leading to obesity. And more importantly, obese people can’t live a normal and productive life. These people are highly vulnerable to health issues. And consumeristic lifestyles are also generating a lot of waste.
It was estimated that in 2020, globally 2.24 billion tonnes of solid waste were generated which represents a footprint of 0.79 kg per person per day. And with urbanization and a rising population, an increase of 73% is expected from the period of 2020 to 2050.
By 2050, it is forecasted that 3.88 billion tonnes of waste will be generated. Waste management is essential for city livability. The urban poor is mostly affected by inefficient waste management. And it remains a big challenge in developing countries and overpopulated cities.
Waste management is expensive but a must. It can often comprise up to 20-50% of a municipal budget in developing countries. Over 90% of waste is disposed of in unregulated landfills or openly burned in developing countries.
These practices have serious environmental consequences as well as cause health and safety issues. Improper waste disposal serves as a breeding ground for disease and generates methane that contributes to global climate change.
Moreover, as the urban population increases, so does the number of vehicles. In 2022, it is estimated that there are around 1.45 billion vehicles in the world and 1.1 billion passenger cars. With the increasing number of vehicles, traffic congestion is becoming more and more concerning.
A 2018 study reveals that traffic congestion cost America USD 87 billion which represents USD 1348 per driver per year. Moreover, drivers end up wasting time that could have been used more productively. And more traffic says more pollution.
Noise pollution is concerning in cities. The decibel level of noise has exceeded the safe level of 85 decibels in cities. For instance, a car horn produces 90dB and a bus horn produces 100dB. A study reveals that noise in cities is the biggest health risk.
Furthermore, metropolis citizens are highly exposed to different forms of air pollution. In fact, almost 90% of the population breathes potentially harmful air which is linked to illnesses, including heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke.
Moreover, sewage management in cities is a real problem. Sewage treatment is a costly but necessary endeavor that is often taken for granted. Sewage is often dumped without being treated which spread germs, foul odour, and toxic chemicals.
More than 359 billion cubic meters of wastewater are generated each year and this number keeps increasing with the rising population. With the lack of treatment plants and facilities, huge amounts of sewages are being spewed into the city’s waterways.
Improper sewage treatment ends up polluting waterways which further worsens the water crisis the world is already facing. More than 1.1 billion people don’t have access to water. Furthermore, around 2.7 billion people face water scarcity at least one month a year.
Lack of infrastructure maintenance, leakage, and inefficient use are the major causes of this crisis. For instance, Karachi, Pakistan, is one of the world’s 34 megacities where population growth has always exceeded projections.
Mega water projects have always been delayed thus widening the gap between supply and demand for water in the city. Households and companies have to rely on limited supplies. Residents face a “tanker mafia” that has monopolized the water supply industry.
Hence, even if we take pride in the beauty of cities and enjoy their majesty, proper infrastructure maintenance is a major problem around the world. It is somehow difficult to live and work in a city where there is a lack of investment and maintenance in infrastructure quality.
Moreover, urban infrastructures are energy intensive and have high carbon emitters. For a city to function properly, its activities need an uninterrupted supply of energy. And to produce its energy need a lot of toxic gases are emitted.
Since 1880, the earth’s temperature has risen by 1.1 degrees due to human activities. Experts say that global warming should not exceed 1.5 degrees otherwise the consequences will be disastrous.
Climate change is already affecting weather patterns and cities are especially vulnerable to extreme events, such as hurricanes and tornadoes. To make matter worse, cities are densely populated, and when a calamity strike it affects a lot of people.
And with global warming, cities are under the pressure of heat island effects. Heat island effects are heat traps due to urban development covering natural land giving rise to increased temperature. This heat trap has disastrous consequences leading to health issues and even deaths.
Moreover, climate change and global warming are melting the icecap giving rise to seawater levels. More than 2.4 billion people live within 100km of an oceanic coast and around 416 million people are at the mercy of rising seawater.
Moreover, population growth and urbanization ultimately increased the demand for resources. Every person will need and want the same resources that others get. We are already faced with a scarcity of resources, and developing and expanding cities will demand more material, which puts even more pressure on the environment.
All this demonstrates that a new approach to city management is essential for a better future. Smart cities are the most logical idea for a sustainable future.
Smart city and sustainability
The climate crisis we are facing is caused by human activity, mostly because we consume a lot of resources inefficiently. We take water and electricity for granted, consume a lot of products, and generate a lot of waste.
Environment preservation has always been about reducing consumption patterns and wastage which ultimately leads to fewer waste and emissions. Smart city is advocating a sustainable system through Its efficient distribution:
- Efficient water management
- Efficient transportation system
- Efficient waste management
- Efficient energy and power grid
Moreover, energy-efficient buildings and appliances, air quality control, and focus on renewable energy sources are providing future smart cities with new tools to mitigate some ecological impact of human activity.
With data from air quality sensors, city authorities can track and identify peak areas and times air quality and pollution are caused. This way proper action plan can be established.
Air quality sensors can even save lives since health issues related to air pollution claim around 7 million lives each year. Moreover, electric transportation systems can further improve air quality by reducing emissions from motor vehicles.
Green buildings can make a city more liveable and even turn a smart city into a green city. Green building is a structure that possesses environmental attributes such as being responsible and resource-efficient.
Also called sustainable building, the purpose is to design and construct an infrastructure that eliminates or reduces its environmental footprint.
Future cities will be socially strong with a focus on environmental missions, as they are expected to improve the quality of life of their citizens. The focus on habitability emphasizes that these towns will be a hub of social and environmental activity.
The goal of smart cities is to integrate digital, physical, and human systems to create a sustainable future for citizens. A sustainable city is one that uses technology to optimize the usage of energy, water, and resources while also decreasing waste.
Green city focuses on three overarching categories: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, turning waste into energy, and reusing materials. They will use digital intelligence to save lives, reduce disease burden, improve social connectedness, and conserve energy.
Creating a sustainable city can help decrease the average air temperature, improve local air quality, create noise barriers, nurture habitats and improve local biodiversity in the region which is very important in the quest for carbon neutrality.
Vertical farming in smart city
As the world population increases, so does food demands. The agriculture sector is one of the main industries responsible for the climate crisis. The agriculture sector plows large acres of land, consumes 70% of the world’s freshwater inefficiently, needs heavy machinery and food has to be transported over longs distance to reach consumers.
Vertical farming is becoming a key component of the smart city of the future. It is the process of growing produce and other crops inside buildings, rather than on a farm field.
Vertical farming also known as urban farming or rooftop farming can produce acres worth of yields in a small warehouse. This agricultural method involves growing plants on multi-story buildings.
It is a form of agriculture that uses less land to grow more food. This is done by growing crops indoors, on vertically stacked shelves, in a controlled environment.
The idea of vertical farming is not new, but it has been gaining traction as more people become aware of the need for sustainable food production methods and a reduction in our carbon footprint on the earth’s surface.
This farming method does not rely on land or soil, it uses hydroponics and aeroponics to grow fresh produces. The idea is to reduce dependence on agricultural land since they are becoming unreliable due to climate change.
Turning cities into vertical farms also reduce the amount of food that needs to be transported from rural areas to urban centers. It is also more efficient because it cuts down on transportation costs and carbon emissions associated with transporting food over long distances.
This type of farming uses 90% less water than traditional farms and doesn’t require pesticides or fertilizers either. This means less water wastage and land degradation from fertilizer runoff.
Since vertical farms are done indoors, they can grow fresh produces in any season and in any climate, even in places where outdoor growing isn’t possible like deserts.
Vertical farming can be done in any climate which means that it is possible to produce fresh food year-round no matter where you are. The produce grown is fresh, organic and without pesticides, making it healthier for the consumers as well as the environment.
And since vertical farms use less water, pesticide, and land, they are more efficient than traditional farming which makes them more sustainable in terms of food production and environmental impact.
Vertical farming is a sustainable way to grow food in urban areas. It is an innovative way of farming that uses less land and resources and has the potential to feed the world sustainably.
Hence, future cities promote many environmental advantages, such as reducing carbon footprints, optimizing usage, and wastage of resources.
Benefits of smart city
A smart city is equipped with the latest information and communication technology, including sensors, data collection, and analysis, to improve quality of life and manage resources more efficiently. Implementing smart technology into city operation and infrastructure bring in a lot of advantages such as:
Efficient use of resources
One of the benefits of a smart metropolis is the ability to manage and use resources efficiently through the collection of data. By using technology to manage resources, it can optimize usage and reduce wastage which ultimately saves money and improve the quality of life of citizens.
It is estimated that people living in smart cities consume 15% less water as well as water wastage is cut by 25% through the use of technology. Furthermore, a 30 to 130 kg reduction of unrecycled solid waste per person is expected.
It is also estimated that by 2035, utility companies can save up to USD 157 billion by adopting smart solutions. The use of data can improve management and decisions making on how resources are procured, produce, allocated, and used.
Additionally, with the insight from the data, urban officials can improve communication between different departments which improves coordination and thus increases efficiency.
Improved communication
Communication in a smart city of the future is a very important aspect, especially connectivity. In fact, without an effective communication system, the metropolis cannot operate and distribute resources properly.
Connected cities can easily share information and resources which improve citizens’ life. An example of how connectivity is important in the future city is traffic management. Cities can use information from traffic cameras, sensors, and other sources to optimize traffic flow and manage congestion.
This can help reduce the amount of time people spend in traffic, and make our concrete jungle operations more efficient. Moreover, citizens are better informed as well as access information easily.
Improve citizen and government relationships and engagement
Future smart city has the potential to revolutionize urban life by improving citizen and government engagement through the use of more efficient communication infrastructure.
By making it easier for officials to access data and manage resources, smart city technologies can help government officials make better decisions and respond according to the situation.
Transparency is one of the core principles of a smart city. By making information available to the public, citizens can monitor the city’s functioning and make informed decisions and get a closer look at government activity.
By making information available to the public, citizens can decide where they want to engage to bring contributions to the community. Moreover, an active social media presence can promote a citizen-government relationship which can increase civic engagement and build trust with the officials.
Reduced environmental footprint
Smart city is a great initiative in the effort to reduce the effects of climate change. Energy-efficient infrastructure, data collection, and efficient resource management are giving cities the tool to reduce some environmental impacts of human activity. Moreover, it can cut emissions by 10 – 20%.
The use of sensors can optimize resource usage and minimize wastage. An estimate reveals that by 2050, efficient buildings can reduce urban emissions by 30%. Moreover, smart cities have the potential of generating economic benefits reaching up to USD 20 trillion by 2026.
Effective decision making
In a connected city, data is constantly being collected and analyzed to make better decisions about public safety, transportation, energy, and more. Well-established systems of sensors allow officials to access a massive amount of information from the whole metropolis.
One way to make better decisions is through the use of machine learning (ML) algorithms. ML is a type of artificial intelligence that allows computers to learn on their own, based on data. This allows computers to identify patterns in data and suggest possible scenarios or solutions.
Artificial intelligence can even compare actual data with past one to give a better understanding of what is happening. This can also provide predictive analysis and maintenance. This can even reduce the cost of living.
Effective data analytics can lessen the risk factors in the town as well as forecast and plan for expansion or population growth. It can also identify trends, needs, interests, and concerns of citizens which can trigger appropriate action to enhance the lives of residents.
Increased digital equity
Digital equity is the term used to describe the disparity between those who have access to and use the latest technologies and those who do not. It is equal access and opportunity to digital information technology resources.
The development of smart cities is a key driver of digital equity, as these cities aim to provide improved quality of life for their citizens by incorporating information and communication technology into their infrastructure.
Access to technology and connectivity is important for a future city’s success because it allows the collection of data for better decision-making. In addition, it creates new opportunities for urban residents.
High-speed internet services and affordable high-tech devices for citizens are a must to ensure digital equity. Incorporating public Wi-Fi hotspots at strategic places throughout the urban area can offer reliable Internet service to every resident, thus reducing the gaps between the have and have not.
Increase economic growth
Smart city technology is becoming more and more prevalent in the world, as its potential to increase economic growth becomes more evident. When a city innovates, its gross domestic product growth increases.
Smart city initiatives create more attractive jobs since monotonous and tedious tasks can be automated. It also improves public safety and well-being, increases mobility and productivity, and equal access to services, education, and information.
These digital cities attract intelligent and creative people who want to contribute to a better quality of life. And easy access to information and data helps businesses to thrive and have better strategic planning.
These developments in turn enhance the global competitiveness of the city while also attracting residents and businesses. Hence a lot of private sectors are partnering with the government to invest in smart city projects.
Better infrastructure
Traditional cities have to battle aging infrastructure that is not properly maintained due to ineffective budgeting of public funds. Moreover, city officials and governments have areas to focus on, and sometimes abridge on infrastructure maintained.
Digital metropolis implements innovative solutions that improve the quality, livability, and lifespan of infrastructure. Smart city infrastructure support connectivity, the internet of things, and other technology to collect data to bring effective solution within buildings.
Data can provide Metropol’s authority with predictive analytics by identifying areas that need to be fixed to prevent infrastructure failures. Data can also trigger predictive maintenance. Proper infrastructure maintenance can also save taxpayers money.
Efficient public utility
Public utilities in a digital city are optimized to provide valuable services while conserving resources. Technology provides the tools for resource conservation and ultimately reduces wastage.
For example, usage in a smart city of the future is monitored to prevent wastage, reduced unnecessary consumption, and maintain overall consumption low. Hence the limited supply of natural resources such as water is utilized efficiently.
Smart sensors can identify leakage, weak infrastructure, or damaged parts so that they can be quickly fixed to prevent wastage or before they become a major problem. Sensors can also identify peak usage and outages. The waste management system is more efficient in smart city, and smart waste management market is expected to reach USD 6.52 billion by 2026
Moreover, communication between different stakeholders is optimized to increase efficiency and improve the overall quality of service. It can also provide consumption detail in the bill so that citizens can identify patterns and become more conscious of their consumption.
Improve transparency
Increasing transparency and information about city performance and quality of life for citizens are key aspects of a digital city. With better communication and improved connectivity, citizens have access to the information they need quickly and easily.
Additionally, a smart metropolis can make services more efficient. It also serves everyone better since they have easy access to the data they need to make informed decisions. Achieving this level of transparency can be difficult if you aren’t sure how to make the most of it.
Improved quality of life
The initiative of a smart city is to prioritize the well-being of both residents and visitors. A city is said to be smart if it can control and manage its resources effectively and efficiently to meet needs and demands.
In the smart community, citizens can expect to have a better quality of life because they provide a variety of innovative services, clean air, efficient transportation systems, a safe environment, and equally distributed opportunities and resources.
Everything is designed to improve the quality of life for people residing in the area. There is greater transparency and reliability to increase citizens’ confidence.
Smart city technology provides easy access to resources such as efficient transportation, parking, services, information, e-government, public Wi-Fi, and many more, to create a positive environment for everybody as well as businesses.
While technology is monitoring and solving issues, a smart metropolis provides better transportation, housing, healthcare, education, and the environment to increase the happiness and well-being of citizens.
Safer communities
A smart city of the future leverages technological advances to create a safer environment. Sensors are used for recognition, threat detection, emergency alert, and surveillance cameras to give law enforcement an edge.
Technology can also help track down criminals and terrorists. It can even be used to track climate evolution and detect the formation of natural calamities and trigger action plans before it is too late.
According to McKinsey and Company, fatalities, homicide, road traffic, and fire can be reduced by 8-10% in a smart city. Moreover, smart city solutions can save up to 300 lives each year in high-crime cities with populations exceeding 5 million. It also reduces emergency response time by 20 – 35% as well as reduces burglary, assault, robbery, and auto theft by 30 – 40%.
Increased productivity
A smart city is the city of the future that is digitally connected, which allows for everything from better traffic flow to more efficient government operations. As technology continues to improve, so do the lives of citizens.
One of the biggest benefits is that they can increase productivity. By making it easier for people to get around, increasing safety, easy access to resources, and doing the things that need to be done, attracts highly talented, skilled, and constructive people.
And with smart technologies mundane and repetitive tasks are eliminated, allowing employees to focus on more constructive tasks. Hence reducing time spent on day-to-day manual operations.
And since traffic flow is managed properly, employees get to work more easily with greater peace of mind. This further increase productivity as well as reduces stress of citizens as they don’t spend time waiting in traffic. Smart mobility can cut average commuting time by 15–20%.
And since everything is managed properly, citizens have a better quality of life and more time for construction tasks which can improve services. This can also allow them to engage and contribute more to society.
Smart city challenges
Even though smart cities offer a lot of benefits, there are also some challenges that need to be overcome. One of the biggest challenges is the collection of data. Connected cities need to collect information from a variety of sources, such as traffic cameras, weather sensors, public health monitors, and many more.
The urban infrastructure needs to communicate with each other so that inputs can be shared and processed. And transparency is highly important, not in terms of information available but in terms of what is happening with citizens’ data, how it is being used, and for what purpose.
Because urban officials can exploit citizens’ data for their own benefit. Or to corrupt future elections. There is also a need to make sure that the information is unbiased. When data is biased, it can lead to inaccurate or incomplete conclusions.
The city of the future requires a solid and secure infrastructure for data collection, and storage to prevent hacking or misuse. And while collecting information, the system needs to make sure it is not invading residents’ privacy.
Furthermore, smart cities need to collect and store large information before being analyzed. Managing data can be strenuous and costly. And it must also be secure because if it ends up in the wrong hands this can be disastrous.
And an even bigger challenge is the infrastructure itself. To allow services to join up and increases efficiency, wide internet coverage is needed as well as hundreds of thousands of sensors and IoT devices while.
And since the internet of things is a network of connected devices that exchange information through an internet connection. Cybercriminals can exploit the weakest device in the network to access the whole infrastructure. Hence, cybersecurity is extremely important.
A complicated and costly infrastructure is needed to erect a digital city. A lot of installation, understanding, and maintenance is needed for all the sensors. And city leaders must have an understanding of the infrastructure and even some technological knowledge.
Major cities and governments are already struggling to replace and maintain decades-old infrastructure, water pipes, and electric wiring as well as install internet hotspots. Hence funding new infrastructure can prove to be difficult for city officials.
And since smart metropolis offers a lot of opportunities, they will eventually attract talent from all over the world. Hence social factor needs to be taken into consideration to provide a cultural fabric that is attractive to every resident.
Moreover, it is somehow challenging for government officials to allow widespread participation from citizens. It is even more difficult for private and public sectors to align with citizens for common positive contributions to the community.
And as IoT devices and sensor technology are expanded throughout an entire city, the threat of cyberattack also increases. Cyber-attacks have more than tripled these last couple of years.
A cyberattack in a digital city can cripple the entire infrastructure. This can put the entire town under threat even the life of people. Since it is a connected city, attacking its communication infrastructure can be disastrous. This can even turn into cyberwarfare.
Hence, smart city officials must invest heavily both financially and also in terms of resources into security. There are already a lot of big tech companies creating solutions to increase devices and infrastructure security. Moreover, different measures for data must be respected. Measures such as:
- Availability – real-time and actionable information must be available all the time to make sure the system is working properly.
- Integrity – for a smart city to function properly, reliable information is needed. Data must be accurate and up to date to prevent biases.
- Confidentiality – data must be safe and confidential to prevent tampering and manipulation. Moreover, some data may be sensitive so due diligence is needed.
- Accountability – stakeholder and people accessing and managing the system must be accountable for their actions which is important to forge reliable integrity protection.
Blockchain and cryptography can provide an answer to security issues. A resilient authentication management system is needed as well as citizens must trust the system. Digital trust is very important for a connected city.
Furthermore, in terms of funding, private investors are willing to invest in smart cities because it is expected to be something big. Private and public sectors are partnering to make city smarter because it provides a lot of advantages for both of them.
Legislation is already being put in place in different nations to help determine and establish minimum security requirements for connected devices in future smart cities.
Overall, the challenges of creating the city of the future are many, but they are worth overcoming because smart city technology can improve urban services, increase economic performance, reduce stress on the environment, and provide a higher quality of life to its citizens.
Final word
With growing populations, traffic congestion, limited resources such as water, climate crisis, and lack of talent, urban areas are facing many challenges and need a competitive edge to survive.
These challenges require cities to embrace new technologies and digitalization to create a sustainable and innovative place for people to live and thrive. The city must be efficient in a variety of areas, including citizen participation and public life.
Smart city technology can be a solution to the ever-increasing problems that a city faces. Not only does it improve the quality of life of citizens but also ensures sustainable and efficient use of resources.
Technology has unlimited potential and deploying it thoughtfully in cities can turn a mere concrete jungle into a sustainable and efficient smart hub. However, as with many mega projects, smart cities need visions, investment, and careful planning to ensure it is a success.
A future city that is resilient, fair, healthy, and sustainable requires intensive policy and investment. Building Metropol that is efficient and functions properly is a major endeavor for local as well as national governments.
Many leaders and officials are already infusing technology in some aspects of their city’s operations. Slowly but surely we are heading toward the era of smart cities. And chances that you may already be living in one right now.
Cities are getting smarter by the year. The primary goal of smart cities is to improve the quality of life of residents while simultaneously stimulating overall economic growth. It also uses new technologies to deliver services to citizens while requiring less infrastructure as well as reducing costs.
The importance of a digital city is not merely for the economic well-being of the citizens but also for sustainability. A smart connected metropolis is considered to be environmentally as well as socially and economically sustainable.
With the proper technology, this type of endeavor will provide better infrastructure and be able to improve their citizens’ lives. In addition to modern digital infrastructure, smart cities can share real-time insights and promote cross-agency collaboration.
The implementation of a digital city can be an excellent way to improve efficiency in urban management, enhance the supply of urban industries and promote the upgrading of urban industrial structures.
The future of cities is smart, innovative, connected, diverse, and creative. Creating smart cities of the future is becoming very important to increase resiliency in the wake of the many crises the world is facing.
0 Comments