With most cities aligning with the modern era, a majority in the 21st century are now considered to be ‘smart cities’. Over the last two decades, the largest cities in the world have implemented smart infrastructure in an effort to keep up with modern lifestyles, population growth, advanced technology and sustainability goals. It is difficult to find a city that does not have at least some element of smart infrastructure at play. However, conventional cities still exist. These cities prioritise traditional services and infrastructure over using technology to optimise city operations. Yet, with technology now widely used, it is becoming more difficult to separate the difference between a smart city and a normal city.Â
What is the Difference Between Smart City and one that is not?
At one time, smart cities as we know them today were seen as futuristic, with many cities viewing them as the impossible. However, as advanced technology has become a typical part of society and more affordable, smart cities are becoming the norm.
A smart city is an urban area that uses advanced technology to utilise intelligent data that helps streamline public services, optimise city operations and support sustainability goals. By placing Internet of Things (IoT) devices across the city, systems can collect data on a mass scale and relay it to the cloud. The cloud then uses Artificial Intelligence to make real-time decisions. This smart infrastructure creates engaged citizens, cleaner environments and safer cities that run with exceptional public services and streamlined city operations.
In contrast, a non-smart city follows somewhat conventional standards. While it is hard to avoid advanced technology in the modern day, regular cities operate with traditional services and systems in place. They rely on manual data collection to make decisions on how to operate.
How Smart Cities Around the World Impact Everyday Life
Traffic Management
Every driver knows the pain of sitting in traffic, and smart cities help to alleviate this. Smart traffic management monitors traffic conditions in real time with the ability to identify delays, report incidents and offer drivers alternative routes to avoid congestion. These systems use IoT devices to communicate with each other and make decisions via the cloud before relaying this information to users. Drivers can be instantly notified through navigational apps of the extent of delays and routes that would reduce journey times. Smart traffic management can also use technology to implement charges with the intention of reducing congestion and emissions, such as London’s ULEZ and Congestion Charge.Â
Public Transportation
While available in many forms, public transportation is a crucial service for any city. However, the way they operate between smart cities and ones that are not differs drastically. Normal cities still operate with manual timetables with no interaction to report service changes or assistance for travellers. Public transportation in smart cities uses technology to its advantage in many ways. Most smart cities have digital displays on platforms that convey real-time information about service updates, including expected arrival times, delays, diversions and even cancellations. This information is also available to those living in smart cities through apps with updates delivered directly to their devices. These apps allow you to route plans, an additional benefit to those living in vast urban landscapes. Many services also make announcements en route, a great plus for tourists and those heading to unfamiliar corners of the city. Smart cities also align their public transportation and sustainability goals by introducing electric transportation systems.Â
Street Lightning
First introduced many centuries ago, street lighting has been a success ever since it was implemented. A simple concept that offers convenience for those who need to navigate the streets by night, street lighting enhances public safety and is not a feature that needs improving. Regular cities still utilise traditional street lighting in its most basic form and use a timer to operate. On the other hand, smart cities have a more complex system of street lighting. Rather than being set to a timer to operate, smart lighting can monitor lighting and weather conditions in real-time, illuminating only when necessary. This enhances public safety, ensuring that there is never a period left in darkness while also reducing energy consumption by only activating when necessary. Smart lighting also exclusively uses LED bulbs, with some powered by solar energy, both benefits that reduce energy consumption and contribute positively to city-wide environmental goals.
Waste Management
Every city has waste management systems. However, there is no doubt that these operations are streamlined in smart cities. While conventional cities feature traditional bins that have a collection cycle, smart cities often introduce smart bins to assist with the services. Not only do these bins have a larger capacity than traditional bins, but they also monitor fill levels to make collection services efficient. This ensures that the local environment remains clean by reducing overfill while also reducing emissions that would be caused by unnecessary collection services.
Sustainability
It is rare to find a city in the 21st century that does not have sustainability goals. However, smart cities actively work towards them on a large scale. Smart infrastructure impacts sustainability goals positively, even if not intentionally. These systems regularly lower emissions and energy consumption just through the way they operate. Although regular cities also have systems in place for sustainability, smart cities have the option to accelerate.Â
City Engagement
Residents and workers in a smart city are more connected and engaged than those in conventional cities. With smart cities powered by 5G and typically offering free WiFi across many public areas, those who live in smart cities can constantly stay connected, both to each other and to city services. Apps can deliver real-time updates directly to devices while also offering users the opportunity to report issues and incidents. It provides residents with the opportunity to not only interact with each other directly but convey information between users and assist with decision-making. This is one of the most fundamental differences between a regular city and a smart city.