Over the last two decades, smart cities have slowly developed across the globe. With smart infrastructure introduced to most major cities and many smaller ones, smart cities have transformed the way we live and work without us even realising it. As technology evolves, smart cities continue to grow, bringing exceptional benefits to urban living. There are many advantages of a smart city and there is no doubt that the future of smart cities is limitless.
What is a Smart City?
The world’s greatest cities are slowly transforming into smart cities, but what exactly is a smart city? Using the most advanced technology and infrastructure to its advantage, a smart city uses this technology and the data it collects to automate operations, transforming public services and daily living. By strategically placing IoT (Internet of Things) devices across the city, interconnected systems are developed, creating systems that communicate with the cloud, making real-time decisions to enhance services. Smart cities reimagine traditional city operations, adding ease of speed and convenience to those who live and work there.
What are the 5 Benefits of Smart Cities?
As with any developing infrastructure, there are pros and cons of smart cities. However, the advantages of a smart city dramatically outweigh any possible negatives and are paving the way for future urban living.
Enhanced Public Safety
Enhanced public safety is a key aspect of smart cities and one of the main advantages of developing smart infrastructure. There are many different systems in place that can improve public safety, the most prominent being surveillance. With cameras strategically placed around cities, public areas are continuously monitored. These cameras can monitor incidents as they progress, a major assistance to emergency services. They also act as a crime deterrent, further increasing public safety, while the most advanced smart technologies often offer facial or automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).
Improved Transportation and Safer Roads
Smart traffic management is also a major benefit to public safety. Through an interconnected IoT network of cameras and sensors, smart traffic management monitors the roads and makes real-time decisions. These systems then have the ability to reroute drivers through navigational apps, creating safety on the roads by reducing congestion and redirecting in the event of an incident.
Smart cities also often have traffic control with signals that adapt in real time depending on the level of traffic. Considering weather conditions, peak hours and level of congestion, cameras and smart sensors can communicate with the cloud to create a streamlined traffic system by preventing congestion and incidents.
In addition, public transportation is improved with real-time updates at platforms and directly to your device via an app. Commuters can follow the journey and expected arrival time of their transportation in real-time while also being instantly alerted of delays, cancellations and redirections. This optimises public transportation and makes it more convenient for those using it.
A Cleaner and Healthier Environment
There are multiple different strategies in place across smart cities that create a cleaner environment. Smart waste management systems ensure that bin collections are carried out when required, eliminating overfill and reducing emissions caused by unnecessary collections.
Smart cities often monitor air quality to create a healthier environment for those who live there. London is one of the best examples, home to ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone), the world’s largest clean air zone which covers all London boroughs and ensures vehicles driving within the zone comply with exhaust emission standards, charging non-compliant vehicles. The city is also trialling green lamp posts with vegetation implanted into lamp posts across Belgravia, designed to promote biodiversity and improve air quality.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Smart cities have sustainability at their core, with goals and strategies in place to dramatically reduce the city’s carbon footprint. Solar technology is widely used to power smart infrastructure, while recycled and sustainable materials are implemented where possible. The use of this solar technology conserves energy and reduces waste.
Where solar technology is not used, smart infrastructure can use sensors and cameras for energy conservation, such as street lighting that changes to reflect real-time data based on lighting and weather conditions.
Air quality monitoring helps to identify areas of high pollution and highlight where strategies should be introduced to reduce pollution. Water waste is also reduced with plumbing systems now in operation that can identify leaks earlier, ensuring they are promptly fixed to conserve water.
By promoting public transport and electric vehicles through streamlining transportation services and increasing charging points, cities can lower emissions on the roads. An example is London, where TfL has the largest zero-emission bus fleet in Western Europe and aims to have a fully electric bus fleet by 2030.
Accessibility
Technology has elevated accessibility, and smart infrastructure has a helping hand in ensuring inclusivity and equal opportunities for all residents. Leveraging smart city technologies to create barrier-free environments, such as wheelchair-friendly public transport, smart pavements and tactile paving for the visually impaired, plus real-time navigation apps tailored for people with disabilities, smart cities are continuing to develop their accessibility. With new systems and technology regularly introduced, the scope for accommodating a wide range of accessibility requirements is huge.
In addition to physical accessibility, high-speed connectivity bridges digital divides with many smart cities operating on 5G and offering free WiFi in public areas. Digital platforms provide easy access to essential services, including healthcare and education, empowering individuals to participate fully in urban life. This provides every individual with the opportunity to participate in remote work, learn, and receive telemedicine. By utilising IoT and AI, smart cities help to create inclusive communities that enhance the quality of life for everyone.