What is a Smart City: Understanding the Future of Urban Living
Smart cities are steadily becoming at par with developed metropolitans across the globe as Governments and policymakers are encouraging energy-efficient, technology-integrated, and sustainable infrastructures in urban areas and beyond. If you wish to know more about what is smart city , allow us to take you through cutting-edge improvements in urban living and how you, too, can be a part of such a place.
What is Smart City- A Quick Definition
A smart city is essentially a municipal/urban area that deploys ICT (information and communication technology) for better operational efficiencies, information-sharing with citizens, and enhancing public services, positively impacting quality of life. The key objective of such a city is the optimisation and streamlining of major functions in a more sustainable and energy-efficient manner. Several attributes essentially define a smart city, and some of them include environmental focus, tech-based infrastructure, efficient public transportation, better urban planning, and value-based information sharing with the public.
Key Technologies and Aspects
Now that you know what is a smart city, you should also have an idea of the major aspects and technologies governing these initiatives. Some of them include:
● IoT- The Internet of Things refers to networks of connected gadgets and devices, ranging from home appliances to sensors and vehicles. They can seamlessly exchange data and communicate with each other. This data is gathered and stored by the Government for analysis and decision-making. The usage of data analytics enables the blending of digital and physical city aspects, thereby boosting the economy, quality of life, and efficiency of the public and private sectors alike.
● Edge Computing- The processing abilities of IoT devices are sometimes known as edge computing. This means that only relevant and vital data is communicated across networks.
● Security Systems- Firewalls and other security systems are vital for enabling proper safety, tracking, and control of all network traffic. They make sure that the data being transmitted is secure and free from unauthorised access.
● Core Elements- Some of the other core elements include APIs (application programming interfaces), user interfaces for communication, smart sensors, dashboards, cloud computing, AI (artificial intelligence), machine learning (ML), mesh networks, and M2M (machine-to-machine) capabilities.
● Smart Parking & Traffic Management- Most smart cities work with smart meters and applications, helping drivers find parking spaces without congestion and circling around blocks. Smart meters also enable digital payments. Smart traffic management systems help track and analyse the flow of traffic to optimise street lighting and prevent congestion.
● Smart Public Transit- Smart solutions for public transportation mean coordinating services and fulfilling real-time rider requirements, thereby improving efficiency, lowering pollution, and contributing towards higher citizen satisfaction. Ride and bike-sharing services are thus common in these areas.
● Energy Efficiency- Energy conservation and efficient usage are key features of smart cities. Smart sensors are used to dim streetlights whenever unnecessary, while smart grid technologies can also boost planning, maintenance, and on-demand power supply. Waste management and sanitation may be boosted with IoT-linked trash cans and fleet management systems for waste removal and collection. Sensors can be used to track the parameters of water while guaranteeing water quality, wastewater removal, drainage, and water reuse wherever possible.
Conclusion
As can be seen, smart cities ensure the right blend of public services, energy efficiency, and technology-integrated smart living. Most such projects help address climate change, improve air quality, cut down on water wastage, boost garbage disposal, and ensure smart transportation and city management. Automation, AI, and other smart infrastructure will steadily make smart cities more evolved and prepared to meet emerging challenges of urban planning and management. There are several such innovative projects across the globe, including several pioneering ones executed by leading players like Planet Smart City, an innovation-driven proptech company with a scalable and replicable model for sustainable and smart housing projects and cities.
