Sustainable Horizons: Navigating the Future of Smart Cities

We live in an age where owning smartphones, computers, assistants (we all are familiar with Alexa and Siri), and smart equipment and homes are more indicative of being smart than intelligence and talent. The advancement of technology has overshadowed the parameters of living as SMART CITIES are the next big thing we are racing towards.

Figure 1. An Illustration of Smart City (Watson, 2020)

Smart cities are a revolutionary step forward in the development of metropolitan areas, utilizing creativity and technology to create sustainable routes. These urban areas adopt a comprehensive strategy, utilizing technological breakthroughs to tackle urgent environmental challenges and improve the standard of living for the people.

What Are Smart Cities?

A smart city is an architectural concept which incorporates technology and data collection to maximize operational efficiency, link city residents, and have a good effect on them. It leverages data analysis and artificial intelligence to make use of the city’s current physical infrastructure for better cultural and economic development (Puri, 2014). Governmental organizations encourage public input and participation in decision-making, providing flexibility for adapting to changing circumstances.

A city’s smartness is determined using a set of characteristics, including:

An infrastructure based around technology
Environmental initiatives
Effective and highly functional public transportation
Confident and progressive city plans
People able to live and work within the city, using its resources

Figure 2. An Illustration of populated Smart City (Trivedi, 2021)

In 2018, According to the data from the United Nations Population Division (UNDP), 55% of people on World are currently living in cities, a percentage that is expected to rise to 65% by 2050 (Trivedi, 2021). This increasing population demands well-designed, adequately efficient cities that support their seamless operation and interconnected surroundings. Creating smart cities entails educating people about the facts that help in issue solving and the ways in which the city’s multiple systems interact both individually and collectively.

How Smart Cities Promote Sustainability?

Hamza (2021) stated that the concepts of “smart cities” and “sustainability” are often come intertwined. Smart city planning involves putting into action on eco-friendly projects that improve the quality of life within the township while respecting the environment. Information and communication technology can be used by “smart cities” to gather information, optimize activities, and improve management. This allows cities to respond to specific issues and provide solutions to those issues. There are numerous ways that smart cities may promote sustainability, from recycling garbage to form compost to treating sewage water for construction or cleaning purposes.

Figure 3. The concept of sustainable Smart City (Trivedi, 2021)

What Qualifies a Smart City to Be Sustainable?

Eco or sustainable cities stand out for their features: smart management, mobility, green housing and smart economy. A smart city can only be considered sustainable if it successfully strikes a balance between economic, social, and environmental factors, while simultaneously utilizing innovation and technology to boost productivity, reduce its negative effects on the environment, and improve the lives of its residents.

What Are the Benefits of a Sustainable Smart City?

With the rise of global warming, the greenhouse effect, and trash in the ocean, smart cities are finding ways to reduce their carbon footprint and offer alternatives that can reduce the ecological impact of their communities. Reducing carbon footprint has been the primary driving behind the development of smart and sustainable cities, from constructing energy-efficient buildings and establishing smart waste management systems to sourcing renewable energy (Hamza, 2021).

Figure 2. An Illustration of the ways in which smart cities encourage sustainability (Belli et al., 2020)

Here are more example of how smart cities promotes sustainability:

Energy savings

Cities may save a lot of energy by implementing smart street lighting since it uses less electricity to operate. Depending on the time of day, LED lights can be brightened or muted to extend their lifespan. This implies that while consuming less energy, smart cities can maintain their residents’ safety and security.

Reduced air pollution

Bicycle-friendly roads and walkable neighborhoods are features of smart city designs. With efficient public transportation, walkable areas, and ride-sharing services, there will be fewer cars on the roadway. This results in a notable decrease in vehicle-related pollution.

Improved air quality

Smart cities are able to measure the quality of the air and pinpoint the sources of pollution by utilizing air quality monitors. Persons in positions of authority can receive relevant data so that the necessary steps can be made to enhance the city’s air quality.

Prevention of infrastructure failures

Data displaying changes from smart city buildings can be delivered by smart sensors. City leaders can prevent costly repairs and infrastructure failure by using predictive analytics to identify areas that require inspection and maintenance.

Enhanced security

Every city prioritizes safety. Governments can better monitor citizen safety with CCTV cameras that are equipped with motion and smoke detectors, fire alarms, and facial recognition software.

Optimized mobility

Smart cities can use smart technologies to reduce traffic jams and give residents real-time information that makes it easier for them to navigate the roads and ensure that people, commodities, and services are transported in an efficient and clean manner.

Strive For Greener Urban Living with Smart City

There are many of additional ways that smart cities enhance urban living in a more sustainable way. With the majority of individuals living in urban settings and the world’s population continuing to expand, sustainable development is becoming a top priority for progressive cities.

References List

Antoniou, L. (2019). Home. [online] Smart Cities World. Available at: https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/. [Accessed: 31 December 2023].

Belli, L., Cilfone, A., Davoli, L., Ferrari, G., Adorni, P., Di Nocera, F., Dall’Olio, A., Pellegrini, C., Mordacci, M. and Bertolotti, E. (2020). IoT-Enabled Smart Sustainable Cities: Challenges and Approaches. Smart Cities, 3(3), pp.1039–1071. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities3030052. (Accessed: 31 December 2023).

En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Smart city – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_city. (Accessed: 31 December 2023).

Hamza, M. (2021). These Are The Top 20 Sustainable Smart Cities In The World. [online] www.disruptive-technologies.com. Available at: https://www.disruptive-technologies.com/blog/the-top-20-sustainable-smart-cities-in-the-world. (Accessed: 31 December 2023).

Maxwell, L., 2021. How to ensure that your smart city strategy is inclusive. [online] Hub.beesmart.city. Available at: <https://hub.beesmart.city/en/strategy/how-to-ensure-that-your-smart-city-strategy-is-inclusive> (Accessed: 31 December 2023).

Puri, A. (2014). What are smart cities? The Hindu. [online] 15 Aug. Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/features/homes-and-gardens/green-living/What-are-smart-cities/article59820499.ece#:~:text=The%20concept%20of%20smart%20cities. (Accessed: 31 December 2023).

Trivedi, A. (2021). Architecture and the Smart Cities. [online] RTF | Rethinking The Future. Available at: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/city-and-architecture/a5683-architecture-and-the-smart-cities/. (Accessed: 31 December 2023).

Watson, T. (2020). What is a Smart City – Technologies, Applications, Benefits, and Examples. [online] Skywell Software. Available at: https://skywell.software/blog/what-is-a-smart-city-technologies-applications-benefits-examples/. (Accessed: 31 December 2023).