Cities today face increasing pressures to reduce traffic congestion and emissions, foster economic development and adapt to an ever-evolving climate. But traditional infrastructure and human resources simply cannot keep up.
Smart technologies can assist city leaders by offering them access to an uninterrupted flow of data that allows them to unlock new capabilities and solutions.
Singapore
Singapore stands out as an innovative city-state when it comes to smart technologies due to its smaller population and rapid decision making process. Their success in using technology and data to better the lives of their citizens has served as an inspiration to other cities looking for models they could follow.
The country’s ‘Smart Nation’ initiative utilizes sensors to digitally gather and distribute data throughout its cities. Residents can then access this data using apps, including one called Moments of Life which offers digital services tailored for every stage in life.
The government of Saudi Arabia is taking several initiatives to encourage innovation and foster entrepreneurship, such as setting up the “Data Innovation Programme Office” to facilitate open business interactions and creating the ‘Smart Business Centre’ to assist small- and medium-sized enterprises utilize new technologies. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia promotes smart living through their Intelligent Home Management System which enables residents to monitor energy consumption more easily.
Kansas City
Kansas City provides an example of how administrators across the country might approach planning their next-generation infrastructure. Lamppost-mounted modems offer free wireless Internet, traffic lights use advanced computing to reduce congestion, and 25 kiosks lining a brand new streetcar line act as high-tech visitors’ guides. A public-private partnership oversees an array of smart city technology spanning data analytics, Internet of Things sensors and wireless networks that connect them; Sprint, Cisco Systems and other tech vendors see opportunities in expanding cities’ technological infrastructure for increasing service offerings and increasing revenue streams as cities grow their technological infrastructure.
Bennett’s team has already started using data gathered by their new hardware to integrate it into city services, like finding parking spots on busy days using smartphone apps or even more longstanding issues such as unemployment rates or reading scores. But their true worth could lie in providing data-driven approaches to those issues as well.
New York City
New York City stands out as an innovator when it comes to technology, boasting over 9,000 startups with annual startup valuations and exits exceeding $70B and several initiatives designed to make its technological landscape even smarter.
One such initiative is the NYC Smart City Testbed Program, which offers funding and other resources to companies interested in piloting innovative technologies. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis; two projects are chosen each quarter.
One of the initial pilots in this program involves a Netherlands-based company installing pole-mounted systems across the city to capture pollution, specifically PM 2.5 and PM 10 particulates that cause respiratory ailments when inhaled. Another project uses drones and robotics to inspect buildings’ envelopes for leaks that decrease energy efficiency while increasing greenhouse gas emissions – this helps building managers address any issues, ultimately contributing to meeting climate goals for their city.
Norway
Norway has long been recognized for its strong citizen engagement in urban planning, and their Smart City roadmap, developed with Stavanger as part of it, emphasizes this. They place less emphasis on technological innovations but rather encourage collaboration between municipal departments and citizens to transform how cities work to ensure citizens’ wellbeing is prioritized as an end goal.
The Lervig Park project signalled a shift in thinking by emphasizing children and other citizens’ participation as an essential element for its design process. Unfortunately, teachers reported that decision makers often prioritize their own predetermined ideas over children’s new suggestions and rejected those submitted from children.
At the University of Stavanger, in addition to local initiatives, research projects on Smart Cities are currently under way, covering disciplines as varied as urban planning, IT security, economy and innovation. A Smart City Research Network was also recently created at this institution.