Smart Cities- A New Tomorrow!

“Who’s the Smart One?” by garryknight is licensed under CC BY 2.0

What does it mean by Smart Cities?

Smart city uses technological advancements to create, deploy and promote the development of the area. It address challenges in an urban environment. Also, It helps in creating technologically enabled and sustainable infrastructure. The history of smart cities dates back to the 1960s and 1970s. At that time, US Community Analysis Bureau started using aerial photography and databases. It was to collect resources, data and address issues against disaster.

Generations of smart cities:

This was the first generation of smart cities. Whereas, the second generation of smart cities looked at smart technologies and innovations. It helped in finding municipal solutions. The third model was based on public engagement in the planning of smart cities. In today’s generation, smart cities use multiple software, user interfaces, communication networks and the Internet of things. It is used for finding solutions to public problems.

Features of Smart Cities:

Digital solutions in Urban Design will help in creating a city which is more user friendly. For example, the use of smart parking can help drivers find a parking space in less time. It can also help in digital payment.

“Smart” Parking

“‘Smart’ Parking” by tony stanley is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Moreover, smart traffic management can monitor traffic flow resulting in reducing traffic congestion. It can also help in designing ride sharing services. Energy conservation and environmental efficiencies are also features of smart cities. For example, when the roads are empty, the streetlights that dim. Such kind of technologies help in improving everything starting from operations, maintenance, planning and power supplies. In addition, the features of smart cities resolve issues of climate change, waste management and air pollution. Also, smart cities help in creating safety by providing constant monitoring high crime areas. It uses sensors to enable an early warning for incidents like landslides, hurricanes, floods etc. It can also help in urban farming and optimal energy use.

Portico Building – Edificio Pórtico, Madrid HDR

“Portico Building – Edificio Pórtico, Madrid HDR” by marcp_dmoz is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Why do we need Smart Cities?

Smart City initiatives helps creating an urban environment that results in a high quality of life to its residents. It generates economic growth. For instance, This is gaining importance in light of future population growth in urban areas. These improvements will provide a new value from the existing infrastructure. It will help save money for governments and citizens. It will also help in reducing the cost of infrastructure.

“RT @jblefevre60: How can we make a sustainable Smart City? #IoT #SmartCity #MachineLearning #CyberSecurity #Health #fintech #GreenEnergy #M2M #5G MT @Fisher85M https://t.co/8pGfFYMt9q” by datacorpltd is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

One of the important aspects of smart cities is the sustainability which can improve efficiencies in urban areas. It will improve welfare of citizens. As a matter of fact, Cities may have smaller geographical footprints but they need fossil fuels to power them. This have negative impact. With the use of electric transport system, we can reduce the emissions. Therefore, bringing about the positive change with the use of smart technology.

Smart Cities in Urban Design:

Now a days, we can use BIM software to easily develop our design digitally. This is less time consuming and helps us to understand out project and the site better. It also provides numerous possibilities of form and function. It also helps us in building schedules and calculating estimated costs.

Around the World:

Masdar City, UAE:

“Masdar City LEAD” by Inhabitat is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

One of the sustainable urban communities in the world is Masdar City. It has low carbon development. Also, it is a ‘green print’ for the sustainable development of cities. They have used real world solutions in water efficiency (UAE being a desert country), energy efficiency. Furthermore, they have improved mobility and reduction of space.

Santander, Spain:

“View over Santander Spain from Elevator – Aug 2014” by andynash is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Santander, a smart city, is offering innovative solutions. These are based on art technology and IT infrastructure. The city contains a parking guidance solution for its residents. Likewise, it helps in reducing the stressful search for the available parking spaces. It reduces the detours along with reducing the pollution. Hence, It is contributing to a more sustainable and cleaner city. Also, there are other such solutions implemented in the smart city of Santander which are worth understanding.

Challenges in Smart Cities:

In conclusion, smart city projects need to be transparent to the citizens through an open data portal. This will help in the engagement of residents with the data. Also, It will help in making the design more user-friendly. And, we should not forget that every place has a unique cultural fabric that is attractive to the residents. Hence offer a sense of space. In other words, smart cities should also account for such social factors.

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