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Smart cities : How technology can deliver a better quality of life?

What are smart cities?

Smart cities are described as a conceptual urban development model utilizing human, collective and technological methods for the development of urban agglomerations (Angelidou, 2015). The concept of smart cities have been a topic of interest and investment with numerous projects from all over the world, having diverse definitions. The comprehensive definition of smart cities prioritises sustainability, efficiency and quality of life themes, varying across different geographical and socio-economic contexts (Raspotnik, Grønning & Herrmann, 2020).

 

Generations of smart cities

The first concept of smart cities dates back to the 1960s and 1970s. The US Community Analysis Bureau started using information and databases

such as aerial photography in order to tackle disasters and poverty, leading to the creation of the first generation of smart cities. Technology providers have tried to implicate technology in people’s daily lives. The second generation sought to create joined-up municipal solutions for using technologies and other innovations. This led to the third generation of smart cities, which took the control away from technology providers and city leaders, enabling social inclusion and community engagement(TWI, 2023). In today’s generation, smart city uses the knowledge and innovation economy with technology to address the problems of efficiency and sustainability, providing the ground fertile for a smart city product economy in an urban context(Angelidou, 2015).

 

What makes a city smart? Jonathan Woetzel, et al (2018)

– Features of smart cities (3 layers of smartness)

Combining automation and machine learning allow for the adoption of smart cities for a variety of applications. It improves the quality of life while responding with faster and lower cost solutions.

 

  1. The technology base :

It includes a mass of smartphones or other sensors connected by high-speed communication networks and data portals. The real time information(traffic flow, energy consumption, air quality) is being provided by sensors for those who need it

 

  1. Specific applications :

Application tools are available in multiple domains : security, mobility, health, energy, waster, waste, economic development and housing. The information can be translated into alerts and insight by applications which is run by technology providers or app developers.

 

  1. Public usage :

Those applications can only be successful when they are widely used and managed by users to change users’ behaviours. A number of them allow individual users to make better choices.

 

 

Case study

– Smart traffic management : monitoring traffic flows for optimising traffic lights

 

 

Copenhagen offers cycling infrastructure, with more than 450 kilometres of cycle lanes used by 36,000 cyclists every day. It aims to achieve a 50% bicycle share in commuting to workplaces and educational institutions. To further support sustainable mobility, the city is prioritising buses and cyclists on roads. Smart lighting at intersections, organised through the Copenhagen Intelligent Traffic Solutions platform, is part of this approach. A network of Wi-Fi-enabled devices on the roads provides data for officials to monitor and stimulate transportation. The smart lights can vary in luminosity, for example increasing light intensity when detecting a nearby cyclist, which improves traffic security and has, so far, resulted in over 70% saving for public lighting (Weforum, 2020).

 

– Public Health Provision : Responding to rapid changes of societal needs

Santa Monica’s Wellbeing Project is a good example of smart city for harnessing the power of data to evaluate well-being. The economic growth does not truly represent a community’s success.

The project gathers multiple data from the city which measures well-being in the community by collecting the Wellbeing Index through resident survey and social media. It encourages collaboration and broad buy-in among city leaders and local organisations in a more cost-effective manner by using technology (Weforum, 2020).

 

 

Conclusion

In order to make a city smart, it is necessary to encourage city leadership, private sector companies and residents of all ages to make use of applications and technologies, as technology is only as effective as the entity that puts it to work. Some cities have already started with inherent advantages such as wealth and existing high-tech industries to break with conventional ways. The designers are likely to suggest different ways of smart city solutions that can be applied to urban areas in different settings. Making a livable city requires diverse technologies and processes depending on the neighbourhood’s scale, the city’s infrastructure and community characteristics for the well-being of the public. Cohesive engagement from the designers, politicians and residents is necessary to create a genuine smart city.

 

 

Reference lists

Angelidou, M. (2015). Smart cities: A conjuncture of four forces. Cities, 47, 95–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2015.05.004

Jonathan Woetzel, et al (2018). Smart cities: Digital solutions for a more livable future. [Online] McKinsey Global Institute. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Industries/Public%20and%20Social%20Sector/Our%20Insights/Smart%20cities%20Digital%20solutions%20for%20a%20more%20livable%20future/MGI-Smart-Cities-Executive-summary.pdf

Raspotnik, A., Grønning, R. & Herrmann, V. (2020). A tale of three cities: the concept of smart sustainable cities for the Arctic. Polar Geography (1995), 43(1), 64–87. https://doi.org/10.1080/1088937X.2020.1713546

TWI (2023). WHAT IS A SMART CITY? – DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES. [Online] TWI. Available at: https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/what-is-a-smart-city#SmartCityDefinition

Weforum (2020). Smart at Scale: Cities to Watch 25 Case Studies. [Online] Weforum. Available at: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Smart_at_Scale_Cities_to_Watch_25_Case_Studies_2020.pdf

2 responses to “Smart cities : How technology can deliver a better quality of life?”

  1. In this blog author discusses about the technologies by which we all are surrounded these days. the way author has described about smart cities and how they affecting us is very clear. Described the history and evolution of smart cities done greatly but can be more elaborated.
    Author should have incorporated some information about the role of smart cities in terms of sustainability because it is one of the important concerns of any future development and also should have explained about the pros and cons of having smart cities like:
    Making better informed and efficient decisions: With the help of a well-thought-out data analysis approach, city officials can access and process vast amounts of data to produce insightful and practical information. A city experiences a sharp rise in service levels when it is able to track desirable indicators in real time.
    Improved transportation capabilities: One of the biggest opportunities to significantly increase efficiency across the city is through connected transportation systems. Despite the fact that populations frequently grow quickly, smart technologies enable cities to better serve their inhabitants in a number of ways, from better traffic management to the ability to track the position of buses and trains.
    Effective public services: Since there is a finite number of natural resources to meet human demand, smart technologies are giving cities the means to reduce and effectively conserve the amount of water and electricity that is wasted unintentionally.
    Lessening the environmental footprint: Cities are gaining new instruments to lessen their ecological imprint, such as renewable energy sources, air quality sensors, and energy-efficient structures.
    Extremely limited privacy: It is more difficult to preserve anonymity due to the usage of security cameras and intelligent devices connected through various spaces. The concept of personal privacy has undergone significant shift due to technologies like facial recognition.
    Social control: The person in charge of the data has a lot of power since they can monitor and organize it. Anyone with access to citizen data, whether a government agency or a private company, has the ability to influence, intimidate, and attempt to manipulate public opinion.
    Over-reliance on networks and electronics: Cities that rely nearly solely on these resources forfeit their autonomy in making decisions and run the risk of becoming unable to respond or take action in the event that these resources are unavailable.

    The case studies chosen Smart traffic management : monitoring traffic flows for optimising traffic lights and Public Health Provision : Responding to rapid changes of societal needs are really good but can be more detailed out which will make it more easier to understand and also should have discussed about if there is any government policies regarding smart cities.
    In conclusion, after reading this blog it shows the author has great knowledge and also vision about smart cities, which is also reflected in his writing.

  2. In this post,it provides different angle and concept of the smart city for me and I have a total new overview of the smart city that how it can change citizes’ lives in the modern times.In my former opinion,I just thought the development of the smart city is developed with the progress of developing internet and applicance technology.With the help of making advanced internet and technology as basis so that the concpet of smart city has been worked out.What you have recommended that offers some new method of treating smart city and how to make our living environment become more smart than before.
    The process of making smart city,as you mentioned in the post,is a long-term develoment and evolution which is a comprehensive generation.It displays the generation of smart city is not only using internet or technology as basis but also depends on the urban planning to think about developing smart city.Urban planning can be a cutting point to develop smart city.With the help of generation of smart city,cities can change their past planning to be more reasonable or constructing new part of city reasonably.Meanwhile the evolution of smart city always keeps the pace with times.It always adjusts itself in different eras to fit the current era.By the way,the generation of smart city also put emphasis on citizens.Citizens are the role of cities who create every aspect of smart city and use every part of cities.According to TWI(2023),citizens are core like in enabling social inclusion and community engagement.These parts with citizens’ engagement will reflect many response no matter they are positive or negative response,which will evolute development of smart city.
    The feature of smart city comprehensively reflects the characters of new eras.Nowadays the technology and applicances are in the best level.They can make our life more convenient and wonderful than old times.By the way new technology can be the best solution for any problems during the process of smart city.For example,Copenhagen,you mentioned in the post,the government make some changes due to the its famous feature:bicycle.The government use new technology to create cycle system to serve Copenhagen’s citizens.Meanwhile the government reconstructs cycle ways in the city.What the government has done are all for providing convenience for citizens commuting and daily life.In some terms the system can be helpful in saving resources and improving safety(Weforum, 2020).Santa Monica is also an excellent example in the smart city which serves for citizens.Public health is one of the significant factor in this city.A city should not only put energy on economy,but also focus on citizens’ feelings.And the government should make good use of every types of media to hear citizens’ demands and try to satisfy them.That’s one of the key point to make a city become smart city.
    Reference:
    Weforum (2020). Smart at Scale: Cities to Watch 25 Case Studies. [Online] Weforum. Available at: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Smart_at_Scale_Cities_to_Watch_25_Case_Studies_2020.pdf
    TWI (2023). WHAT IS A SMART CITY? – DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES. [Online] TWI. Available at: https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/what-is-a-smart-city#SmartCityDefinition

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  1. In this blog author discusses about the technologies by which we all are surrounded these days. the way author has described about smart cities and how they affecting us is very clear. Described the history and evolution of smart cities done greatly but can be more elaborated.
    Author should have incorporated some information about the role of smart cities in terms of sustainability because it is one of the important concerns of any future development and also should have explained about the pros and cons of having smart cities like:
    Making better informed and efficient decisions: With the help of a well-thought-out data analysis approach, city officials can access and process vast amounts of data to produce insightful and practical information. A city experiences a sharp rise in service levels when it is able to track desirable indicators in real time.
    Improved transportation capabilities: One of the biggest opportunities to significantly increase efficiency across the city is through connected transportation systems. Despite the fact that populations frequently grow quickly, smart technologies enable cities to better serve their inhabitants in a number of ways, from better traffic management to the ability to track the position of buses and trains.
    Effective public services: Since there is a finite number of natural resources to meet human demand, smart technologies are giving cities the means to reduce and effectively conserve the amount of water and electricity that is wasted unintentionally.
    Lessening the environmental footprint: Cities are gaining new instruments to lessen their ecological imprint, such as renewable energy sources, air quality sensors, and energy-efficient structures.
    Extremely limited privacy: It is more difficult to preserve anonymity due to the usage of security cameras and intelligent devices connected through various spaces. The concept of personal privacy has undergone significant shift due to technologies like facial recognition.
    Social control: The person in charge of the data has a lot of power since they can monitor and organize it. Anyone with access to citizen data, whether a government agency or a private company, has the ability to influence, intimidate, and attempt to manipulate public opinion.
    Over-reliance on networks and electronics: Cities that rely nearly solely on these resources forfeit their autonomy in making decisions and run the risk of becoming unable to respond or take action in the event that these resources are unavailable.

    The case studies chosen Smart traffic management : monitoring traffic flows for optimising traffic lights and Public Health Provision : Responding to rapid changes of societal needs are really good but can be more detailed out which will make it more easier to understand and also should have discussed about if there is any government policies regarding smart cities.
    In conclusion, after reading this blog it shows the author has great knowledge and also vision about smart cities, which is also reflected in his writing.

  2. In this post,it provides different angle and concept of the smart city for me and I have a total new overview of the smart city that how it can change citizes’ lives in the modern times.In my former opinion,I just thought the development of the smart city is developed with the progress of developing internet and applicance technology.With the help of making advanced internet and technology as basis so that the concpet of smart city has been worked out.What you have recommended that offers some new method of treating smart city and how to make our living environment become more smart than before.
    The process of making smart city,as you mentioned in the post,is a long-term develoment and evolution which is a comprehensive generation.It displays the generation of smart city is not only using internet or technology as basis but also depends on the urban planning to think about developing smart city.Urban planning can be a cutting point to develop smart city.With the help of generation of smart city,cities can change their past planning to be more reasonable or constructing new part of city reasonably.Meanwhile the evolution of smart city always keeps the pace with times.It always adjusts itself in different eras to fit the current era.By the way,the generation of smart city also put emphasis on citizens.Citizens are the role of cities who create every aspect of smart city and use every part of cities.According to TWI(2023),citizens are core like in enabling social inclusion and community engagement.These parts with citizens’ engagement will reflect many response no matter they are positive or negative response,which will evolute development of smart city.
    The feature of smart city comprehensively reflects the characters of new eras.Nowadays the technology and applicances are in the best level.They can make our life more convenient and wonderful than old times.By the way new technology can be the best solution for any problems during the process of smart city.For example,Copenhagen,you mentioned in the post,the government make some changes due to the its famous feature:bicycle.The government use new technology to create cycle system to serve Copenhagen’s citizens.Meanwhile the government reconstructs cycle ways in the city.What the government has done are all for providing convenience for citizens commuting and daily life.In some terms the system can be helpful in saving resources and improving safety(Weforum, 2020).Santa Monica is also an excellent example in the smart city which serves for citizens.Public health is one of the significant factor in this city.A city should not only put energy on economy,but also focus on citizens’ feelings.And the government should make good use of every types of media to hear citizens’ demands and try to satisfy them.That’s one of the key point to make a city become smart city.
    Reference:
    Weforum (2020). Smart at Scale: Cities to Watch 25 Case Studies. [Online] Weforum. Available at: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Smart_at_Scale_Cities_to_Watch_25_Case_Studies_2020.pdf
    TWI (2023). WHAT IS A SMART CITY? – DEFINITION AND EXAMPLES. [Online] TWI. Available at: https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/what-is-a-smart-city#SmartCityDefinition

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Planning and Landscape
Newcastle upon Tyne
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Email: nicola.rutherford@ncl.ac.uk